5 years later.
Shashank has been commander for five years and he describes these years hell of his life. Now he could understand, why his father were not with them? Why, when they needed him, he was never around. King was not only fond of luxury but cruelty as well. In past five years, he has been through plenty of wars. Sometimes saving his own people and sometimes for king's joy attacking on kingdoms, which were weaker than themselves. Even when any king surrender, he was not humiliated but treaded worse then animals, if not killed.
Shashank never wished for this, but he couldn't go against king's order. These day by days' battles, left no soul of him. broken inside he wished he never was part of this. What he wished was only living a peaceful life with his family, with his beloved. But there was no sign of this coming sooner or later.
Kush kul, Shal kul and Dipt kul were not fighting for the Mighty king (chakravarti samrat) title only, but, also for the Seven villages, which situated on the bank of Mighty mountain Agadh's daughter, river Sursari, and rightfully Kusha's only one village was among seven, one belongs to Shalv and rest five were part of Dipt bhu.
There was no shortage of grains on the land irritated by Sursari and this was not a boon for the residents of the seven villages, but a curse. Being in the border of all three sworn enemy kingdoms, brought frequent wars and over taxes.
This time again Shal kul and Dipt kul's army encountered to own the villages. News came flying to the castle about the encounter and in to show ownership of the land Adwait order Shashank to lead army to the seven villages.
When Shashank arrived at the centre of seven villages, heart wrecking sight broke leftover of him. War laws says that innocent subject and crops should never be harmed during or after war but the sight in front of him was telling him that their were no laws and righteous left in this cruel world.
He passed through corpse of innocent senior citizens, women,men and even children. Fields were set on fire and all hard work was nothing but turned into ashes. Innocent and weaks were facing all immorality and malpractice and the kings were blind in greed of power and luxury.
Soldiers of Shalv were still on the other side of village enjoying the sight of hard work turning into ashes. At this very moment, Shashank felt fire running in his veins and something vibrating him from inside.
Out of control he, alone, ran for the enemy soldiers with long sword in his hand. And with all his migh he jumped like a lion on them tearing and reaping their body parts like veges. His army followed after him and in a few while ground filled with more corpse, with no enemy alive.
Shashank set kneeling, holding his sword, half in ground, hopeless. "What are the orders? Commander." He heard.
"I can't continue anymore." Shashank said, sobbing out tears on the sight of half burnt child's body. "Vrish, I can't continue this, not anymore."
Vrish stepped near Shashank and placed a hand on his shoulder. "What are you saying commander?" He asked.
"I do not wish to be a commander, neither want to be a part of these unrighteous wars." Shashank shaking in tears. "Five years, these five years are enough to welcome me in hell. If not than it's not wrong to think I have lived my life in hell."
"We can't go against king's order." Vrish said, tapping on his shoulder. "Now let's go, we need to get back."
In despair Shashank climbed horse and when did he arrived at the castle and stood in front of king he did not know.
King, like always, busy in his wine and maiden around him. He praised Shashank for his bravery, which Shashank didn't want to be praised of.
Shashank stood still, like a corpse, eyes on Adwait's misdeeds with maiden.
He wanted to walk up stairs and cut his throat and free the subject from his rulling but than Adwait looked at him and said. "I'm very pleased with your service. Ask if you want anything. Anything I can offer you."
For a moment Shashank thought to ask for his life but he knew if say that he will be dead instead. "Anything?" He asked.
"Anything apart from my life and throne." Adwait roared from his throne.
"I bag for the treaty of Kush, Shal and Dipt kul. I bag for an united rulling for the country." Shashank pleaded on his knees. "I wish for a prosperous brother hood country without any war." Shashank looked up at the king. Adwait remain stunned on his throne. "And i wish for your name and fame to be written in history with honour."
After staying silent for a while Adwait laughed high. 'My name written in history? And may i ask how are you gonna do that?" He asked.
"When all kingdom bound together, your name shall be the first to tell that you took the first step forward, forgetting enmity and Made it happen my lord." Shashank explained.
Adwait laughed again. "Do you think other will bow to me? If so then I'm ready."
Shashank rose to his feet. "No, never." Shashank replied. "But why can't a country ruled under three kings. With three mighty powers togather can make the country undefeatable."
Adwait continued laughing on his words. "You talk way foolish. There can't be two lion in one forest, just like two swords in a sheath." Everything fell silent in the hall.
"Ask for something else." Adwait jerked his hand, gesture of irritation.
Shashank wished for nothing but a peaceful life. He stood froze and then said. "I have fought and won numerous wars in your honour, your highness." Shashank said and paused for a thought. "I wish no disrespect but since you have given your words, I ask for the seven villages." Everyone started mumbling in the room. "I wish for My freedom and independent seven villages for myself."
Adwait cliched the goblet in his hand and greeted his teeth. He gave firm look to Shashank for a while and than suddenly he calmed down. "I have given my words. I shall full fill them." He gave an evil smile and continued. "But before that you must do one thing for me." Again hall filled with chatters.
"Silence." Adwait roared and hall became graviously silent.
Should i say yes? If i decline will he not allow my freedom? These thoughts filled Shashank's mind. "Order, your highness." Desperation of being set free climbed up his head and he agreed.
"There is a city in north, Naretu city. I wish to see Kusha's flag on the city castle." Adwait demanded. "Then you and your seven villages will be set free and I shall give my protaction to you and your small rulling." Adwait announced and gave his words.
Shashank went on his knees, "Kusha's flag will be on the castle, my lord." Shashank followed the word and took leave from the hall with soldiers.
Naretu city was far in north, one sided way was days long to ride. Before going on the battlefield again he wanted to visit his family but king ordered to march right away and broken heartedly, he has to follow the order. But for the first time, he was in peace to leave for war in years. This was to be his last time to go on a battlefield. For last time he has to kill on orders, last time to do something unrighteous.