“Rajan, I have been waiting for a while here. I was getting worried.” replied Vaishali.
“Everything fine Vaishali? Why do you look worried?”
“Rajan, these Chandalas have kidnapped the Princess Pallavi.”
“Aah, so that young man was from here. He was a Chandala youth?”
“Who are you talking about Rajan?”
“I saw him there at the festival talking to the princess. He was tall and dark with strong muscular body. Very bright eyes.”
“His name is Prahlaad.”
“Do you have any idea where they could have taken the princess? Somewhere around here?”
“No, your Highness! They have taken her to Kaal Bhairava pier, which is far away from here in the north -west direction. It's a spiritual centre of Kapalikas. Ordinary people are too scared to venture out there even during the daytime. Chandala chief Shatvari's guru Kapaali Gorakhnath stays there.”
“We will have to get there anyhow.”
“You want to rescue the princess?”
Neel nodded in affirmation.
“But why?”
Neel kept quiet but Dhananjay looked at Neel and said in cheeky tone, “Your Highness has fallen in love.”
They all kept quiet for a moment then Neel spoke, “We'll have to arrange for some horses to get there.”
“We will have to go to the capital to get horses. Going there in these circumstances is full of danger. We will have to arrange for a bullock cart from here only I suggest.” said Vaishali.
“Bullock cart? That will take a long time to get to the pier.” said Dhananjay.
“We do not have an option I am afraid. Vaishali is right, we must not waste time looking for horses. Let's find a bullock cart and start on our way as soon as we can,” said Neel.
Mekal's soldiers, who had been waiting to attack, rushed into action as soon as they received the orders. They pounced upon the security guards and soldiers at the festival venue. As they were dressed in ordinary clothes and mixed with the crowd, the attack came as a shock to the South Kosala soldiers. People ran around and panic set in everywhere. It was impossible to figure out who was attacking and why. The royal guards were in a big fix as they had to guard the royal guests while at the same time the common public was being butchered by the unknown assailants. Somehow the royal guests and family members were quickly ushered out of there and brought safely to the nearby temple. Some guards stood by to protect them while the rest carried on fighting the Mekal soldiers.
Udayan was on his way to find the princess when he was informed about the attack. A dilemma struck him—whether he should carry on and go to find his sister, or, use the soldiers to protect the royal guests and family members from the unknown enemy. It was a matter of hundreds of lives as well as the prestige of South Kosala to protect the visiting guests.
He turned around and addressed his soldiers, “We have just been informed that unknown enemy soldiers have attacked the festival venue. It's a matter of our state's prestige and honour to save the innocent lives of our citizens and to protect our guests. I order that half of you must proceed as we plan to search for the princess and the rest come with me to the festival venue.”
About fifty soldiers went on to look for the princess, the rest followed the prince back to the venue. As soon as they reached there, they saw people running around to save their lives. Udayan saw a person with a shining sword pursuing a South Kosala soldier from behind. The person with the sword was about to jab the soldier when Udayan leaped at him and kicked with full force. The sword fell away and Udayan held the attacker from his waist trying to wrestle him down on the ground. While the two were in a tussle, Udayan noticed another attacker running towards him with a sword pointing at his back. Udayan lifted the attacker in his arms and turned him around to face his accomplice's sword that pierced his chest. A loud moan and he died in his arms. Udayan quickly jumped to grab the other attacker who suddenly turned around and kicked Udayan on his thigh. Udayan fell away on his stomach and the attacker pounced over him and sat on his back holding Udayan's neck. Being an expert wrestler, Udayan swiftly turned around beneath the attacker and pushed him hard with both his hands. The attacker bounced away. As soon as the attacker fell to ground holding his back, Udayan grabbed him and asked, “Tell me who you people are? Why are you attacking us?”
The attacker didn't answer. Udayan twisted his neck a bit and asked even more sternly, “So you won't answer like this. Just a few lashes on your naked back and you will speak out.”
The attacker looked at Udayan with utter contempt and puked with full force on Udayan's face and said, “Use all your lashes and swords, but you can't break our vows.”
Udayan was taken aback by this reaction. The captured assailant was so full of hatred that he didn't care for his life to protect his vow. While Udayan pondered over this, he suddenly realized that he must go and checkout on the royal guests and his family. He decided to deal with the captured attacker later.
As Udayan walked into the temple premises, King Rudrasen walked towards him and asked, “How come you're still here Prince? Are you not worried about the safety and whereabouts of your sister?”
“I beg your pardon your Highness, but as a defence minister my priority was to ensure the safety of our people and our guests.” replied Udayan.
“What about your responsibilities as a brother of a sister kidnapped by our unknown enemies?”
“Your Highness, being a Kshatriya warrior, my first duty is towards the citizens of my state. Family comes second. This is also the Rajdharma. I have, however, sent an armed unit in search of the princess.”
Rudrasen took a deep breath and calmed down a bit and added, “Okay, now you too can proceed towards finding out the princess. We are all safe here.”
“As you command, your Highness.” Udayan bowed and left.
Pallavi gradually opened her eyes and looked around. It was an old temple. It was evident that only few people ever came there. Her hands and feet were tied to a wooden pole. The rope was so tight that it turned her wrists and ankles blue with clotted blood. She noticed a dilapidated idol of Kaal Bhairava seated on a dog. It was an aggressive face. Black serpents were coiled around Bhairava's arms, ankles and neck. A garland of human skulls around his neck and another on his chest. In his right hand, it held a blood-soiled dagger and in the left an amputated human head. Pallavi also observed some snakes and scorpions lying lazily in the dark corners of the temple. Some bats were hanging upside down from the roof which was covered with cobwebs. The sight ran a shiver through Pallavi's spine.
A Kapalika sat with a circle of human bones in front of the Bhairava idol. His eyes were closed, and he was lost in deep trance. He wore a black headgear and his entire body was covered in black clothes. A garland of human bones was dangling around his neck. A talisman threaded in a black thread was also hanging from his neck. A large stick with crooked head wrapped in a red cloth was placed on his right. It was decorated with red flowers and small sandal pieces. A middle-aged woman and two young men were also sitting in front of the Kapalika.
Pallavi was shocked to see one of the young men. It was the same youth who talked her into walking out of the festival venue. She realized that it was all a conspiracy to kidnap her. She wondered if that young man who tamed the elephant was also a member of the sinister plan.
The other young man sitting there was Shatrughna and the middle-aged woman was Shatvari.
Suddenly, the Kapalika opened his eyes and said loudly, “Kaal Bhairava is asking for a human sacrifice at his altar. Arrange for a human sacrifice.”
“Human sacrifice at the altar? But why?” asked Shatrughna.
“Because Kaal Bhairava is asking for it, you fool!” thundered the Kapalika staring at Shatrughna with his bloodshot eyes. He then added with a slightly softer tone, “You have a soft heart, because you are the son of a Brahmin. You will have to toughen up to attain siddhis that I am going to teach you.”
The Kapali
ka now addressed Prahlaad and said, “You take Shatrughna with you and arrange for a human sacrifice. Take my disciples waiting outside. They are expert swordsmen and will come handy if needed. Make sure the person you bring for the sacrifice is not harmed in anyway.”
Prahlaad and Shatrughna stood up, bowed and walked out of the temple.
Pallavi's face twitched out of stress at the mention of human sacrificial ritual.
Shatvari noticed that Pallavi was now wide awake and taking account of her surroundings. She walked up to her and asked in a stern voice, “Tell us what all you know about the Yantra of Maharshi Vasudev.”
“Which Maharshi? What Yantra? I know nothing about all that.” replied Pallavi.
“Don't try to befool me young princess! Don't you know who Maharshi Vasudev is?”
“No, I do not.”
Shatvari stepped back and thought maybe the princess really knew nothing about the Yantra and Maharshi Vasudev. King Rudrasen might not have told her anything about this for some reason. Shatvari thought about relaying all that to the princess but was apprehensive if the princess would trust her words at this point.
Pallavi kept looking at Shatvari with scorn, “Why have you brought me here? Why are you treating me like this?” Pallavi raised her shackled hands to ask Shatvari.
“You will find out with time.”
“With time, what does that mean? How can you keep me tied like this here? Who are you—humans or beasts?”
“Beasts!” Shatvari screamed at the top of her voice,” We are even below animals. You keep swans and deer in your mansions and treat them with love. We are Chandalas and you want to avoid even our shadow. You would cuddle pillows made of animal skin, but you abhor us so much that you won't even wear shoes made of our skin.”
Shatvari's eyes shone like embers. Pallavi watched her burn with fury. She kept quiet.
“Sit here with your mouth shut, dear Princess. Sure, let me know if you need to eat or drink.” Shatvari controlled her emotions. She went back to sit in meditation alongside the Kapalika.
Udayan divided his battalion in four units and sent them in all four directions. He instructed them all to lookout for the previous search units and coordinate efforts with them. Heading one of the units, he moved towards the north- east. He was pondering over the events of the day. He raced his mind around but couldn't think of an enemy who would kidnap the princess. Why would somebody kidnap her anyway was beyond his comprehension. That soldier also reminded him of a section of people who hate them so much. He was wondering if they had only external enemies, such as, Raghuvanshis of North Kosala who are known to create instability in their state. Mekal was also an enemy state. But Vidarbha and Utkal were friendly neighbours.
While the prince explored all possibilities in his mind, a horseman wearing black clothes galloped past him. The horseman dropped a shiny gold-like object towards Udayan. Before any of the soldiers could react, the horseman had vanished in the jungle.
It was a golden bangle. It was wrapped in a piece of a purple cloth. Udayan unwrapped the bangle and saw some writing on the cloth. “Old Mahadev Temple”. Udayan looked up thinking that Pallavi also wore a purple coloured attire. Could it be her attempt to send a message? But then why the messenger just disappeared so quickly. Old Mahadev temple was straight ahead in the direction they were moving. He decided to go up there and find out what was going on.
Udayan asked his soldiers to proceed towards the temple.
The old Mahadev temple was a small premise made of black stones. It was a beautiful ancient design built on the shore of river Mahanadi. A huge jungle spawned from right in front of the temple and spread all the way up the mountains in north-east. When they reached there it was evident the temple hadn't been visited by anyone for years. He asked the soldiers to search the area thoroughly.
While they were busy looking for any signs of the princess, the same horseman emerged from behind the bushes and again ran past Udayan. He shot towards the dense jungle like an arrow. This time Udayan wasted no time and kicked his horse to chase the horseman down. He tightened the rein of his horse, leaned forward and was flying through the jungle behind the galloping horseman. The black attired youth knew that the prince was following him with full speed. They would go left, right, up the mountains, then down in the valleys but Udayan couldn't get near the horseman and he had ventured miles away from his unit. Udayan suddenly realised that he'd soon be crossing the boundaries of his state and enter an unfriendly territory. He slowed down thinking of turning around.
Before he could motion his horse to take a turn, a net of ropes descended upon him from the trees above. A group of armed men jumped from the trees around him and grabbed him. He knew instantly that it was too late now. That was all a ploy to trick him down here and capture him.
He tried to fight his way out but soon they tied his hands and put a mask on his face. Two strong set of arms held him from either side. On the left was Prahlaad and on the right, it was Shatrughna.
Chapter 26
“South Kosala's prince Udayan has been captured by the Kapalikas. They were searching for someone for the human sacrificial rite. Now, both the prince and princess are in their captivity.” informed a bubbling spy soldier entering Indrajit's tent.
“Bravo! On one hand, Udayan is their defence minister and on the other he is the dear son of King Rudrasen. The princess is the apple of the king's eyes. If both the prince and the princess are removed, it will wreak havoc on the king and his state for sure. We will have an easy victory over them.” Indrajit's eyes lit up and he looked determined to get it done.
“What about the king of Mekal—Neel?” asked the soldier.
“Keep an eye on him. He is still important for us until we have South Kosala in our hands completely.”
“As you wish, Commander.”
Udayan was ushered in by Prahlaad and Shatrughna. Pallavi was shocked to see the face of his brother as they removed the black mask.
She had heard all the conversation for the human sacrificial rite. It didn't take her long to realise that they had captured Udayan for exactly that same ritual. She screamed out the name of her brother.
As soon as Udayan saw her sister tied to a wooden pole, he was surprisingly shocked. He quickly glanced at her clothes and jewellery. Everything was intact. He realised it was all a ploy to capture him.
Udayan glanced at her sister and tried to smile helplessly. He tried to convey a message of strength and confidence.
The Kapalika was ecstatic seeing Udayan. He instructed Prahlaad to tie him in front of the Kaal Bhairava idol. “We will commence the sacrifice after midnight.”
The mention of human sacrifice perturbed Udayan. He was never aware that there were people in his state who engaged in such brutal rituals. Who were these people? Why have they captured Pallavi? He had to find some way to get out from there before midnight.
It was almost dusk. Sky was a sombre grey and with orange streaks at the horizon. Neel, Vaishali and Dhananjay sat in a simple wooden bullock cart pulled by two white oxen. They were right by the Kaal Bhairava pier. As they approached, Vaishali said to Neel, “We should be cautious here, as these Kapalikas have supernatural powers of all kind.”
“Keep your heart and mind focussed on the mission Vaishali. Nothing is mightier than a stable mind.” replied Neel.
They tied the bullock cart some distance away from the temple and quietly walked towards the temple. As they approached, Neel could see that Pallavi was tied to a pole. Right in front of the Kaal Bhairava idol was tied another young person. He walked closer to the temple and saw it was a young man in royal attire.
“Who is that young man, Vaishali?” Neel asked pointing towards the temple.
Vaishali looked closely and almost shrieked in shock, “He is Prince Udayan.”
Neel put his hand on Vaishali's mouth and asked her to calm down.
“So, both the very important royal members are here in captivity. We will have to rescue them both
somehow. Let's wait and chalk out a flawless plan.”
They hid there just by the door in the bushes and tried to figure out what was going on inside.
“Be warned! There is someone around us.” said the Kapalika still with his eyes closed.
“Who is it, Guruji?” asked Shatvari.
“Someone is here. Be warned, I say!”
“But who? Humans, ghouls, or demons,” asked Shatvari looking around.
“Humans are more dangerous than all the ghouls. We must keep these two safe until the ritual is done. Go outside the temple and guard the place. Nobody should come near before midnight,” ordered the Kapalika to his disciples.
No less than fifteen men with swords walked outside the temple and spread around to keep vigil.
“Now what will we have to do, your Highness?” asked Dhananjay.
“Nothing we can do, as they are five times our number,” replied Neel.
“Then, should we just sit and watch them murder the prince?” asked Vaishali.
“Better to let one person die as opposed to all of us getting killed.”
“Since when have you become so selfish your Highness?” Vaishali was visibly upset and raring to go.
“Keep calm. Let me think for a minute. Dhananjay, how many swords and daggers do we have?” asked Neel.
“Six.”
“That won't be enough. We will need more weapons.”
“What are you thinking Rajan? What's the plan?”
“As they are far more in numbers we cannot win in an in-person combat. We will have to fight from a distance.”
“But we do not have the weapons, like bows and arrows, to attack them from a distance.”
“That's what I said, we need more weapons. We will make bows and arrows. Vaishali, you go and find sturdy sticks from the nearby bushes. Dhananjay you go and fetch the ropes from the cart.”
Revenge of the Chandalas Page 17