When Nisha turned seventeen, her chambers boasted expansive furniture and lavish decorations, dripped in saturated shades of orange, pink, and red. The halls of her corridor echoed with giggles that came from Nisha and her friend, Anisa, the daughter of Courtesan Zaheera.
"Mother believes it would be best for us to present ourselves well, as the prince of Ujjain is arriving soon," Anisa whispered, evading the maids' curious ears.
"Is he not coming for political matters?" Nisha questioned. The faded memories of a rose colored boy came to her recollection.
"Yes, but we will see him in the future, and unless you desire to enter the courts just as our mothers have done, he is our best chance to get out of here. I mean Nisha, you can't possibly tell me that you've never wanted to leave the court, the palace-"
"Our home," Nisha interjected coolly, " The place we were raised, where we split our first coconut, and planted our first mango tree. The place where we were born and shall be reborn again, returning to the Earth our mothers' feet touched when we were in their wombs,"
Anisa pouted, coughing the phrase " So rigid,"
"What was that?" Nisha jabbed playfully.
"Nothing, nothing," her friend responded with a small smile on her face.
The amusing ambiance was disturbed by the rush of a messenger from the court. Young and clumsy, Nisha recognized him as one of the new servants serving her aunt.
"Lady Nisha!" He nearly shouted, shocking the duo's gathering, " It is with great sadness that I must inform you that your aunt is no longer a member of the Nawab's court. As such, your position has been compromised,"
Shocked, Nisha could barely comprehend the words she was hearing. Anisa vocalized what she was thinking, angrily exclaiming, "But why?? Qamari Ma has always been the Nawab's favorite; why now?"
The servant shook his head, indicating his lack of confidence in the matter, " The news that has been heard is of her acts of treason; what it could be, however, is beyond my knowledge or power, I apologize, Miss," He paused, " I am simply here to inform you and deliver this note from your aunt to you," Placing a neatly folded note on the table next to Nisha, he bowed and hurriedly left.
Her hands shaking, Nisha picked up the note and unfolded it, reading. Anisa observed her friend intently, " So, what is it?"
To this, Nisha took a deep breath, " My aunt told me to stay safe, and I must meet with Ghulam immediately. I will contact you when I can, but I believe it'd be best for you to retire to your chambers," Though Anisa sulked, she hesitantly agreed- the both of them had a vague understanding of the gravity of the situation.
When Anisa left, Nisha ran to the gardens, and found Ghulam sharpening the arrows of a new bow, crafted from high quality bamboo that stretched its rawhide bowstring taut. Marveling at it, she paused before interrupting, but Ghulam noticed her and spoke first.
"If you want to be safe, you must leave the court in a discreet manner. And the best way for you to do that," Ghulam choked up, " Is for you to join the Prince of Ujjain's army in battle. But- you will start out as a common soldier, nothing amongst the others. I will send you materials and food to keep you safe, but I cannot guarantee anything,"
"You haven't even told me what's going on," Nisha spat, "Why should I go off to battle? What is happening?"
Ghulam shook his head, "It is not time for you to know. But if you would rather be sold off to a merchant, or work in the court, you are completely at the Nawab's mercy. You know how ruthless he can be. This is the best time for you to escape, Nisha Janan,"
Nisha somberly chuckled, as what Ghulam had said reminded her of Anisa's previous remark. Though Nisha had determinedly refused, it seemed as though she was fated to leave her home.
Ghulam placed the weapon in her hands, "This bow is for you, Nisha. Keep it safe, and… stay safe. You must survive this war,"