Skip to main content

Warrior


Once upon a time in the Mystic Desert lived a Princess. In a tower, that overlooked the yellow horizon, she watched the sun rise and set every day in the sand dunes. Her heart longed to stand in the middle of the desert, touch the sand, feel it under her feet; smell the air, and see the vast sky turn from blue to black. But alas, she couldn't. Imprisoned by Norms and Virtues, she dreamt of Home, in the desert and open sky, or somewhere far beyond it. The Wanderer never saw home. He had seen mountains, seas, forests and waterfalls. His horse was his home as was the world. Alone and aimless he had travelled half the world. Every night a certain emptiness filled his heart. He couldn't tell why.
One star-studded night, on one of his many journeys, his horse grew tired in the sand dunes and looked around for water. The fort towers caught his eyes.
"Anyone home?" He said looking around the deserted ruins. Silence replied him as he frowned. "Such a huge place and no soul?"
The Captive Princess frowned at the human voice. In the darkness and lights of the stars, all she could see was the white horse beaming like moonlight on the sand.
"Who is it?" She whispered into the darkness, scared of the human voice.
" I am a Desert Wanderer. My horse is tired. Can I get some water?" He had bowed. She struggled to see him in the darkness. He had looked up in vain, to see a shadow up in the tower.
She lowered a pale with a rope. The animal drank heartily making her smile.
" Say where are you from Wanderer?" She urged lowering down some fruits as well.
" I am from the world. The sky is my roof."
" How does it look?" She asked eagerly.
"What? The sky?" he frowned.
"No, your world." A strange feeling tangled her heart. 
" Beautiful." He smiled.
All through the night, the Wanderer talked of the nature he had witnessed in the world. The vastness and diversities of its wonders. The Princess in turn talked of her house. How she kept the hearth warm and cosy, how she cooked, knit and decorated her home, how she daydreamed and weaved stories in her head. How she made curtains out of torn dresses.
" How is your home?" The Captive Princess asked the Wanderer.
" Home?" He appeared surprised. Smiling faintly he shook his head. "I am still looking for it." He sighed almost in a whisper.
"Me too." Her voice seemed distant making him frown.
" You have..." He was confused.
" A place to stay. Yes. " she smiled " Not home"
" Why do you want a home?" She asked eager "You have everything I ever wanted, freedom and the open skies."
He smiled. "I miss what you have. A warm and cosy place to return to, every night when am weary. Someone to ask me how my day went, or if I had struggled." He made her frown as he sighed.
"I never knew it was important."
As dawn set in, and the rays of the sun fell on their faces, they had for the first time, seen each other and they both realized one had what the other craved most.
The Wanderer saw the light of the sun warming her cheeks. Her skin reflected the glow from the sun, while he was tanned with adventures.
" O Captive Princess, I should continue my journey now." He sighed. " But you offered me food, water and hope to continue." He smiled " How should I thank you?"
" The walls of this tower suffocate me, Desert Wanderer! Take me away. Free me from this prison." She begged.
" Am sorry." The Wanderer fell back surprising her. " I cannot do this."
" Why not?" She frowned. " I am willing to go with you." She pleaded. " All you need to do is break the shackles Norm and Virtues created and we can escape into the Mystic desert. No one will find us."
He smiled faintly. " I am a wanderer, Princess. I am not strong enough to fight Norms and Virtues. I am not a Warrior to protect you." He stared back at her from his horse.
" Wait for a warrior my lady, one who can fight for you." He looked up at her twinkling eyes.
" I will wait." She spoke softly " For the Wanderer to turn into a Warrior."
" What If the wanderer never returns?" He asked.
" The warrior will" she answered.
" What if he is not brave enough?" He was unsure.
" If the warrior returns to fight against Norms and Virtues for me he will be the bravest of all. For he will fight for something the worth of which only the bravest heart knows."
" What is that, Princess?"
" The home he craved will be waiting at this very window, with Love as the reward."
" Let the wanderer depart Princess" he bowed " So that the warrior can return!"
She took out the ribbon from her hair and threw it out of the window.  He caught it and tied it to his wrist. She watched him head towards where the sun shone brightest.
Days and months turned into years. The Captive Princess had stared at the horizon, first hopefully then with regret and tears. She had gathered the pieces of her heart to believe she had believed in an impossible dream. The stranger was never to return. She wasn't what he sought. She had stopped singing with the birds. She had stopped knitting dreams.
Norm and Virtues were angry. There was no fun holding the Princess captive If she stopped knitting dreams.
" What will we suppress if she stops knitting dreams?" Norm asked Virtues alarmed. They both went to their teacher,  Society. " The only way to keep her dreaming is with a taste of hope." Society ordered.
Every day Norm and Virtues tried to make the Princess speak aloud her thoughts in vain. They always loved to prove her wrong and crush her dreams. But with her this silent what would they do now?
Finally, Society introduced them to a very cunning man called Rumour. Rumour had every trick in his bag to make and break dreams. Rumour had it that the Princess had befriended a Wanderer. What would Norm and Virtues do with this information? Society stepped in.
Each day society gave the princess false hopes of the news of the wanderer's return. At first, she believed him, as he took care of her, fed her and gave her shelter. But each day she was disappointed. Finally, her patience broke. She wept and begged Society to let her go from her shackles. To convince Norm and Virtues to let her be free. Society gave her false sympathy. Norm and Virtues reminded her how cruel the world was and how foolish she had been to believe the Wanderer. She fell to pieces as Society, Rumour, Norms and Virtues shared a good victorious laugh!
The silent desert echoed with horse hooves. A gust of wind or perhaps an impending storm approaching? The white horse galloped. His mane blew in the wind. The Wanderer was back!
Adorning scars of bravery, he was now perhaps a Warrior. The dream had taught him his battle skills. The reward of his training was the sword of motivation Dream had gifted him. His wrist adorned the ribbon that once belonged to the one he decided to call Home. The fort was visible on the horizon. The tower and window too. Yes, he was finally back, losing track of time, and era but he was back to claim his love. Her wanderer was now a Warrior. Could the princess recognize him?
"Look! A warrior!"
Reality alarmed Norm and Virtues.
"No warrior had set foot on this land till now. How dare he!" They roared. " We will crush him!"
" Looks like Dream made another one for us to defeat!" Reality smiled. "Yet again!"
Rumour turned pale at the sight. "Its... It's no random warrior...."
" What do you mean Rumour ?"
" He is the wanderer who left the Princess... And he who... Returned a warrior... To..." Rumour fell down dead in fright.
"He who fights for love is the bravest warrior of all." They heard the princess laugh at the threshold.
Reality smiled. "It's not over yet. Capture her," he ordered. " Separate them"
The princess smiled back " She who doesn't care for Norms and Virtues finds Love!" She smiled at Reality.
" I don't let love survive dear." Reality roared. " Love dies in my hands time and again. Virtues, call upon Fate."
Norms were guarding the gates alarmed when the warrior entered the ruins.  The bats flew away. The sun rose from the clouds. It would rain. Norms were taken aback by the skills of the warrior. He lay dead in the skilful sword called motivation. It was time Virtues fought him. Reality took the princess up and caged her in the highest part of the tower. " The longest battle awaits." Fate smiled. He went in search of Society.
The warrior made his way up to the roof of the tower through the spiral staircase.
" Call him. Call for help" Reality pointed a knife at the Princess.
She smiled. " Scared?"
"Nothing scares me!"
" Not even Dreams? Your old enemy?"
Virtues stopped the warrior in his tracks. " One step and you are dead"
" You are dead already Virtues, you are powerless without Society. I will kill him and Reality soon!"
" I am killing you first." Swords clashed as Virtues tried to hold on in vain. " Love won't survive Society and Reality" virtues called after him wounded.
Society was in a dilemma. He had hoped for Reality and Fate. But wasn't it all putting his existence at stake. He decided to play his cards right. He was about to pick up his sword. Destiny stopped him.
"My husband, Fate is with those who survive with your existence. You repent your mistake. Let him handle the rest." Destiny in her soothing way reminded Society how once he was built with love!
The reality was about to put the knife in her chest when the Princess shouted " Wanderer, is that you?"
" No my love, it is your warrior, your knight!"
"Let me kill you first then!" Reality smiled pushing the princess away. Swords were out. His Motivation is gifted by Dream. Reality's sword of Words. They clashed as thunder roared. The princess stood in awe while Reality pushed the Warrior towards the edge. The princess gasped. Did she feel helpless? Fate had rushed up the stairs to witness the happenings. He couldn't let this happen. He threw his sword at the Princess. His Sword of confidence. She trembled to pick it up.
" Come on princess. CHOOSE YOUR FATE! SAVE YOUR LOVE!"
Reality had tried to push the warrior off the roof. Reality was about to give him a final push.
" Stop" He heard Society shriek.
The Warrior saw a sword piece through Reality. His blood dripped from the blade. The Warrior was about to lose grip when the hands holding the sword held his, tighter. He looked up. The Princess had put the sword of Confidence through Reality. She was in fact her own knight in shining armour. Society stood gasping as she pulled him up in an embrace.
"You saved me." The warrior smiled.
" I shielded you like you protect me" She smiled back as he kissed her forehead.
" They are equals." Fate smiled at Destiny.
" Times have changed." She smiled back. They stared at Society.
" Your turn now!" Destiny reminded " Do the right thing.
The one for which you were made" Society looked at the couple and sat on his knees. He removed his crown of Power and laid it at the Warriors' feet. Love was the most powerful of all.
The Warrior put the crown of power on Dreams. And made him the king of Society.
"We don't need power anymore." He smiled at her. " we have found love in each other. Let Dream rule."
From that day onwards, Dream ruled over Society and everyone lived in peace, love and humanity. The captive princess and the Desert wanderer were now the Warriors of Love. They lived happily until the story was over, and you and I return back to Reality which is by the way, still teamed with Norms and Virtues and ruled by Rumours.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

See You Soon

Kunwar Partap entered the relatively quiet stable premises at the break of dawn checking on Bijli who was asleep, when he heard the sound of anklets near the cow shed. He walked up to the entrance of the stable, from where he could see her, her dupatta placed loosely over her wet hair, devoid of jewellery the way he never saw a royal lady, with a basket of flowers in one hand and a plate of sweets on the other. She was distributing sweets to the cow keepers, veterinarians and everyone who came by on the occasion of Lakshmi giving birth to her calf. “What will you name her, Hukum?” an old man asked. She smiled shyly, pressing her lips together. “Mandakini, Kakasa.” The old man smiled at her suggestion. “Like the kund? Very nice.” Kunwar Partap walked up to Lakshmi’s shed only after most people had dispersed to their work. Ajbante Kanwar heard footsteps behind her and turned with the plate that now had one sweetmeat left. Alarmed at his sight and at the lack of options she could offer fr...
Post a Comment
Read More

Stable Boy

  “Jija, I want to go to the stables too.” Ajbante was stopped in the corridor of the inner palace by Ratan Kanwar, followed by their half-brother, Akhil who was three. “We do.” Ratan corrected herself. The dawn had just set on the horizon and the birds were chirping in the gardens. Ajbante Kanwar had just taken a bath in the private pool and managed to grab her empty flower basket to go to the gardens still before that, she would visit the stables and cowshed, check how Lakshmi was doing with her newborn, and if Bijli was okay with the sudden changes her father made. Ratan Kanwar’s nagging made her sigh and nod. “Don’t make so much noise so early in the morning.” She scolded them as they followed her, giggling and skipping down the hall behind her. “Don’t touch the newborn Kunwar Akhil, you will scare Lakshmi.” The familiar alarmed voice made Kunwar Partap stop gathering hay as he placed them down, wiped his forehead and glanced over his shoulder at the cowshed. There was some gig...
Post a Comment
Read More

I Saw You

Kunwar Pratap was in his brown Dhoti, off-white angrakha and a piece of brown cloth tied to his head when he entered the palace premises. He was standing in the courtyard, eyeing the lofty towers and domes, wondering whom to talk to as some soldiers galloped their horses out of the stables on the right and some people were gathered on the left. The main entrance and two guards on either side and he decided to go towards the stairs leading up to the inner palace when the guards stopped him. “Who are you looking for?” “Rao ji?” He asked unsurely. “Rao Ramrakh…” “What audacity, boy?” The old guard scolded, “Say, Hukum!” “Yes, Hukum.” He nodded. “I came to tend to the stables.” “Then go to the stable, why are you loitering around the private gardens?” One of the soldiers said in a gruff voice. “He must be the one we were told about…” The other one reminded him. “Oh, go to the stables anyway, Hukum is busy practising, I will summon you once he is on the premises.” Pratap nodded at his words...
Post a Comment
Read More

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him.   The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And his spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. One of his aides...
6 comments
Read More

Queen of the Heart

Kunwar Pratap was in the Dangal Sthal practising his moves. Ajabde decided it was fair to know his strength before the big competition. Sword in hand, in a white female warrior attire with only her face visible she hid behind one of the large watchtowers of the Dangal watching him move. She heard Rawatji say, " Your left hand is still weaker than the right one with the moves. Both should be perfect." A smile curved her lips. Knowing an opponent's weakness always helps, which is one rule of the war she always remembered.   Kunwar Pratap swung his sword with his left hand and turned around. He could sense someone watching, his sixth sense was never wrong. He looked around and hatched a plan. Ajabde again peeped at the grounds to see it was empty. He had left. She walked towards the empty ground, sword in hand. Suddenly, the cold blade of a sword was felt on her neck. She stopped still. " So someone was spying on me." His voice had a hint of taunt. " No, I was...
Post a Comment
Read More

Prologue: Impulsive Hearts

1576 CE. The dark clouds circled over the Haveli of the Chieftain at Avadgadh, one of the unimportant posts on the western borders of Mewar, Rajputana. It was the arrival of the rainy season, with occasional downpours over the green veil of the Aravallis on the horizon and the streams that often meandered around the hills now surged like rivers. The monotonous life in the little settlement was stirred by the arrival of guests in the Haveli. It was not usual for the old chieftain to receive so many guests, especially women and it sparked curiosity and rumours among the villagers. Who were these people? Some of them looked like royal ladies and some not. In the inner palace of Avadgadh, on a balustrade that was designed with Jali, nymphs adorning its pillars that looked over the Aravallis in a distance, covered with dark clouds, the gusty wind blew the new curtains almost toppling a vase kept by the window. She caught it, alarmed, almost out of the force of habit to be alert about her su...
Post a Comment
Read More

Unexpected

" This is your room Ranisa." Hansa opened the door to the well-furnished large guest room of the Bijolia Palace. The diyas were lit and the room was neat and clean. " Your Daasis decorate the rooms well." Jaivanta Bai looked around. " Oh, Ranisa. all these... " Hansa smiled proudly. " All these are done by my daughter." " Your daughter?" Jaivanta Bai smiled surprised. " Milwayiye ." Jaivanta Bai was eager to meet her. " Ajabde! Ratan!" Hansa called as the girls came in. 13-year-old Ajabde preferred a simple lehenga in a pink and blue Dupatta clad over her head. She was the first one to calmly bend down and touch Maharani's feet as a five-year-old Ratan came running. " Ajabde is very talented in sewing, gardening and home decor. She can also...." " Maa Sa...." Ajabde's soft protest stopped Hansa as Jaivanta Bai smiled. " Accha, I won't tell but these are your good talents, right? ...
2 comments
Read More

Protectors

Rao Surtan was at the Palace gates as the soldiers tried in vain to attack with arrows. His army was stronger and more competent than the one Balwant headed at the Bijolia Fort Gates. “Break the door” he ordered. “Where is Ajabde?” Hansa looked around the cellar. “Jija!” Ratan exclaimed. “She was on the roof last I saw.” “Ajabde.” Hansa Bai opened the cellar door and stepped out followed by Ratan who was equally worried. “Stay back!” Sajja Bai called in vain as Jaivanta Bai too walked out and up the stairs to the corridors of the Ranimahal in search of Ajabde.  Meanwhile, Surtan’s army had entered the palace and he made his way to the Ranimahal. He was having different thoughts now. Killing Jaivanta Bai won't yield him anything… Maybe capturing a few young maidens… Ratan froze in the corridor seeing the man approach. Behind her were her mother and Jaivanta Bai with the same reaction. “ Jee Bavro ho gayo!” Surtan Singh took out his sword. Ratan took two ste...
Post a Comment
Read More

Life and You

" Maharanisa! Maharanisa!" The Daasi ran through the quiet Rani Mahal as Jaivanta Bai who was sitting in front of the Lord in her room ever since she was back, rushed out of her room followed by Sajjabai and Veerbai. " What happened?" She asked, her voice calm, but her heart thumping. " Kunwarsa is here... with Kunwarani... She... She...." The Daasi sobbed as Jaivanta Bai rushed to the room. She stood at the door as her eyes couldn't believe what she saw. Kunwar Pratap was soaked in her blood as he laid her down on the bed shouting " Jaldi. Rajvaidya..." His eyes stopped at the door as Jaivanta Bai rushed to be beside the unconscious Ajabde. The Daasis and Sevaks were running about soon enough. SajjaBai gasped at the scene. So much blood. Kunwar Pratap hadn't noticed anything except her calm unconscious face. Now he looked down at his blood-soaked hands, red, he stared at them as though in a trance. " Kunwar Pratap! Tell me what happ...
6 comments
Read More

You Deserve More

Ajabde woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm clinging to her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly but he was holding it so tight. Ajabde's heart beat faster and faster. What do I do now? How do I not wake him? What if... why is my hand in his? She was utterly confused.   " Am I..." In love? Pratap was staring at the sleeping figure on his bed as he again looked back at the rain. Then he looked back frowning as she shivered. He closed the windows of the room, to make it cosy then sat on his side of the bed. A lamp flickered on her side like always and he stared at her sleeping figure as he put his blanket over her as well. She shifted a little in her sleep to make herself cosy again. Her payals and bangles made a rhythmic sound breaking the silence of the room. Her hand was out of her blanket and on the pillow in between. He tried to slowly put it in th...
8 comments
Read More