It had started raining. The fires on the campsite had been put off. From his position on the Rocky Outcrop, Arjun could see the lines of tents laid out in an orderly circular fashion, far away on the outskirts of the Poorvi forests. He smiled, as the cold raindrops trickled down his brows, tracing his chiseled face down to his chin. He had removed the cape and the hood, revealing his war-toned physique in the rain. The long matted dreadlocks that stretched till his waist swayed with the sporadic gusts of wind. As sky flashed bright with thunder, the numerous battle scars on his bare body glistened radiantly, emanating an ethereal aura around him.
Without the cover, his presence was even more resplendent. The very place where he stood seemed to be exuding a divine effulgence. Anyways, he wasn't one who ever concealed himself. But he had to do so this time. It wasn't possible to let Mallika see his face right now. With her abilities, she would have remembered him well. If she happened to describe him to Bajrabaahu, she would fall prey to his venomous hatred. That was something, he would never tolerate. Over the last twenty years, everytime the king had hurt her, he had painfully suppressed the urge of assassinating the despot. After all, Bajrabaahu was the one the girl recognised as her father, at least for now. And she was filial, despite all the atrocities her father had subjected her to. He couldn't bear to hurt her, even if that meant he would have to put up with the vicious king. Besides, he knew this tolerance was temporary. The day would come, when Mallika herself would rise to put an end to this crisis. He just needed to wait for her. The time had almost come.
"Lord Arjun!"
The sound of footsteps neared him.
"You are still waiting, it's almost two hours since the princess returned."
Arjun sighed gently. If it was Mallika, he could wait for eternities. He turned to face the youth who had come. This young man was dressed in the attire of the Sailam soldiers. With a head of full of dark hair, and those striking eyes, anybody could tell he was Aparajit, the icy elite warrior of Sailam. Arjun frowned, "Kaustabh, why are you getting wet. Don't catch a cold."
Kaustabh grinned, "Why should I bother? Aren't you there even if I catch a cold? Anyways, I came to return you this, my Lord. You know I can't keep it with myself. I might get caught." He handed over a large bowl, wrapped with leaves from all sides. "Thanks for the medicine. If it was any later, many people could really have died today. The toxin was pretty strong. How did you figure out the medicine in so little time, my Lord?"
"It's an old poison," Arjun smiled. "Very difficult to deal with."
"You mean it has been put to use before this?"
"Yes, twice before."
"Twice!" That was pretty surprising. Poisons like this that could be used for mass scale massacres weren't generally repeated, unless their last use had been many years ago. Suddenly, he looked up. What exactly had his lord meant when he said it was an 'old poison'?
"When was the last time this was used?" he asked, furrowing his brows.
"Twenty five years ago."
As expected, it was quite some time ago. But didn't that mean it was the year he was born? But what did that matter? He was an orphan adopted and raised by Lord Arjun. He had grown up with the Janas, and they were one big family. Events of twenty five years back didn't bother him anyhow now. And there was little chance that they had something to do with him.
But his Lord suddenly looked distressed. "What's wrong?" Kaustabh asked. "You look worried."
"The last time it was used, I hadn't been on time to save them."
The words were nearly a hiss, uttered through gritted teeth.
Kaustabh frowned. So it must have been something big for Lord Arjun to have involved himself in that manner. And he had been late? No wonder he had hurt an old wound of his Lord.
He looked up, "Lord Arjun, it's raining badly. You shouldn't stand in the rain."
Arjun seemed to sigh. "You must be wary. People might suspect you, Kaustabh."
Kaustabh frowned, "Didn't you say General Brihangad was aware of your actions?"
"It's not Brihangad. It's Mallika."
Kaustabh looked up. "That is bad. You are right, she might find me suspicious. After all, she must know I don't drink. So no way could I have been affected. What do I do now?"
Arjun smiled. "Just pretend to show her your amulet. She should know to keep quiet. When the time comes, lead her to me."
Kaustabh stared at his Lord. "The Fire amulet? Hadn't you asked me to keep it hidden well, specially from the princess?"
Arjun nodded, "I had. But now things are different. She has already seen my signature. She should know what to do. Anyways, it's time for me to take action. She is turning twenty next week. And you can come back anytime you want."
The young man smiled, "Sometimes, I really miss you, my Lord. I want to come back to you, and the Janas. Sometimes, its too tiring to be Aparajit, who stays aloof from the world. You know me, I am better off as Kaustabh, who runs amok and causes trouble." A mischievous grin spread on his lips.
Arjun looked at the boy, as he lifted a hand to his face and pulled away what seemed like a layer of skin.
In fact, it was a face mask. As the layer left his face, the arrogant, elegant appearance was gone, and a face full of childish charm was revealed. This was Kaustabh, a Jana, the one behind the mask of Aparajit, a soldier.
Arjun smiled. Lifting his hand he touched the wet hair on the boy's head. "Take care of yourself. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Relax," Kaustabh smiled. "I know you worry about me. But have faith in the child you raised. I know to take care of myself and of the princess as well. I won't fail you, my Lord."
Arjun smiled. "Get going then."
Kaustabh bowed and turned to leave.
As Arjun watched him walk further away, his eyes dimmed. The scene of that year, twenty five years ago, flashed in front of his eyes. This was the newborn child he had picked up then, from a pool of blood, wounded and miserable. That was the first time he had felt that terrible rage surge through his body. The rage that urged him to annihilate everything, everyone.
The next time, was twenty years ago, on a Shiva Temple on the Vindhya mountains, when he had discovered the wailing baby, wrapped in the blood laced embrace of her dead mother.
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Author's Notes:--
This chapter formally introduces our male lead, Lord Arjun. This is the character I am personally the most fond of. He isn't a normal human. In fact, he has crossed the boundaries of time, as will be evident in the later chapters. The fact that he has raised a child born twenty five years ago is a hint as well. You can picture him as a youthful person, but it is his aura and his very being that is of utmost importance to the story. Hope you like it!
Many thanks for reading!!