"She said that my father killed her husband? That's preposterous!" Chitrangada said after Poonam had narrated the entire thing.

"He was captured and executed during the war, your highness"

"This is what happens in wars. It doesn't make me or anyone else responsible for that. Soldiers die in war all the time." Chitra said.

"I understand princess however that lady has also lost her son, I couldn't understand much but it seems like she is from one of the northern province and her son died because of the local feudal lord."

"North? His highness has gone to control the northern rebellions!" Chitra gasped " So her son was one of the rebels."

" What are you going to do princess?"

"Save her of course. Whatever might be her issues she doesn't deserve death. I will talk to his majesty, " Chitra replied firmly.

"There is something more Your Highness. Prince Devburman said there is trouble is some provinces because of resentment. People are not happy due to constant wars and an increase in taxes. He has warned of bigger rebellions in the future."

"How does he know all this?"

"He seems to be a very wise man your highness" Poonam said.

Chitra raised her eyebrows " You have got to know him quite well in a short amount of time Poonam."

Poonam flushed " Its nothing like that your highness. He just helped me to reach that woman."

Chitra smiled " Just be careful Poonam his father is a traitor."

Poonam looked shocked " He never mentioned anything about it."

Chitrangada narrated the family history of Shivaditya to Poonam skipping the Mrignayani incident. Dev was having feelings for his brother's wife! It was something only Shivaditya and she knew. It wasn't appropriate to turn it into palace gossip which could tarnish their reputation.

"His father might be a traitor but, his highness would never do such thing," Poonam said.

"That makes two of you. Kamakshi thinks the same " Chitra thought.

"You are here under my protection Poonam. If something happens to you how will I face your parents? I won't be able to forgive myself. Please dont do anything rash !"

Chitra said looking worried.

Poonam didn't reveal her deal with the Prince. She knew Chitra wouldn't approve of it. The truth was, she was equally eager to meet Prince Devburman.

"Dont worry your highness I will take care," Poonam assured her.

After Poonam had left Chintrangada looked at the oil lamps which had been left burning by her maids. She was missing Shivaditya terribly. She prayed for his safety and his return all the time.

She left the bed and went towards the terrace. It was full moon night and everything had a silvery glow.

"Where are you Shiv? Please come back soon. I miss you."

She said looking at the moon.

****

The day had finally come. The generals judged they were only hours from the stronghold.

Shivaditya was giving a pep talk to his men.

"Tomorrow we are going to attack the stronghold. They are rebels, most of them are untrained men who will not follow the code of conduct for warfare. Dont show any mercy. Capture or kill everyone. Is that clear ?"

"YES, your Highness !"

His troop yelled.

The code of conduct for wars was a set of rules which had to be followed by the kings. For example.

- War was fought in a designated area away from civilians.

- Civilians were not to be harmed.

- There was no pillage or looting of the conquered country.

- Women and children were not to be touched.

- Even the Royal women were not mistreated. They were considered wards of the winner king and continued to live a normal life though not as royalty.

Sometimes the king would marry the princesses to establish a more legitimate control. However, they were not raped or sold as slaves unlike the other parts of the world.

This was written down by Kautilya in 300 BC in the book "Arthashastra" an Indian treatise on politics, economics, military strategy, the function of the state, and social organization.

However, as time changed and foreign attacks increased. They had no regard for the warfare rules, laws of Arthshastra were forgotten.

Shivaditya said to Jayaraj "Make sure our men are well-rested, we'll attack at the crack of dawn."

Jayaraj nodded and Shivaditya retired in his tent for the night.

It was after midnight. Most of the lamps had been extinguished. The huge fire pit in the centre where men had been roasting meat was dead with few glowing embers.

5 shadows passed among the tents. They looked around carefully as they reached the biggest tent.

The men who were covered in black with only their eyes uncovered nodded at each other.

Without making a sound 2 of them grabbed the guards guarding the tent and sloth their throats.

It all happened so fast that the guards barely made a sound before falling dead.

Now that the coast was clear. They entered the tent stealthily.

Shivaditya was sleeping peacefully unaware of the death looming over him.

Blade glistened in the dim light as one man took out the deadly 'gandasa' and moved towards Shivaditya.

Shivaditya's eyes flew open. He was used to sleeping light while on war missions. He immediately turned and placed a well-aimed kick on the groin of the man looming over him. His weapon inches away from his throat.

The man flew back and fell in a heap. Shiv knew there were more.

He jumped off his bed grabbing the knife which he always kept under his pillow.

As his eyes grew accustomed to the dark. Three figures attacked him simultaneously. He could hear the swish of strange-looking weapons. He has never seen such weapons before.

He felt a sharp pain as one of them sliced the flesh on his arm.

He had to reach his sword and make as much noise as possible to alert his men.

Suddenly one of the men fell in a hump with an arrow sticking out of his body.

Shivaditya looked at the new arrivals. They were not his men he was sure, so why where are they helping him?

It was hard to figure out who was fighting whom. As the last assassin fell in a heap those new arrivals left immediately as they had come.

By now the camp was awake.

Jayaraj came running into the tent.

Fires were lit. A few guards chased after the black figures running into the woods.

"Your highness! Are you ok ?" Jayaraj came in running.

"Call the healer! " Jayaraj shouted at one of the soldiers.

"Catch those men!" He shouted at other guards.

"No need for that Jayaraj" Shivaditya said as he took off his bloodied tunic.

"They saved my life" he pointed at the dead bodies lying around. "Check them. They seem to be mercenaries."

"They are foreigners, your highness," one of the soldiers said as he uncovered their faces.

"Indeed they are not from this part. I have never seen such weapons before" Shivaditya said as he picked up the curved 'gandasa'.

Jayaraj who looked visibly upset said "I have failed to protect you, your highness! I dont deserve to be your bodyguard."

Shivaditya smiled "Dont blame yourself Jayaraj, our enemy has become more shrewd which was expected. The question is who were my saviours?"

Jayaraj said, "I have sent some guards to catch them."

"You won't be able to catch them," Shivaditya shrugged.

" They are smart enough to know when and where the attack on me was supposed to happen. They would be smart enough to not get caught."

He dismissed everyone except the healer who was bandaging his wound. It wasn't deep. He wondered who were those guys who saved his life.

Unable to sleep he walked away from his tent and looked up towards the moon. It had been 3 weeks since he last saw Chitrangada and he was missing her.

"I miss you Chitra." He said to the moon.

To be continued...