Legacy of the fire queen

Born in the chimes of royalty,

Rose to the heights as a warrior,

Reborn to be worshipped as a Goddess.

Samyuktha’s legacy stands taller than any history ever written!

Fear rose through Mahini’s spine as she took deep breaths trying to take in the situation. She did not know for how long she had stood near the crib, rooted to the ground, perturbed by what she had just realized. Sagar came to stand next to her, looking down at the empty cribs.

“She left with our Aara and the other child,” Mahini whispered.

“Did you honestly expect her to leave behind her child?” Sagar replied grimly.

“The mob cannot know! We have to bring the queen back before the news spreads! We have to find the queen as soon as possible!” Mahini urged.

“Do you even know who you are talking about?” Sagar stood ramrod straight, looking down at the empty crib.

“What?” Mahini stared up at Sagar.

Sagar slowly turned around to face Mahini. “We are talking about Samyuktha. If she wanted to leave, if she did not want to be followed or found, then there is no chance in Pehlav that we are going to find her in this birth.” He finished quietly.

“General!” A guard rushed in, with an agonized expression. “The queen is nowhere to be found in the castle. This note with the queen’s seal was found in the council room!” He extended the rolled piece of parchment to Sagar.

Mahini watched with wide eyes as Sagar took the roll and broke the seal. Her breathing grew raspy as Sagar unrolled the paper. When Sagar was done, he extended the roll to her with a steely expression and Mahini took it with shivering cold hands, with her eyes still poised on Sagar. She took a deep breath that turned her throat cold and dry and she slowly lowered her gaze to read the scroll.

‘The throne is now empty. Let the worthy sit in it until the return of Aara. For now, we leave.’ It read, with the unmistakably familiar signature of Samyuktha at the bottom of the scroll. Mahini looked up at Sagar, who was waiting for her reply with a neutral expression. She swallowed nervously and gave him a single nod.

“Rings the bells,” Sagar commanded in a restrained voice. He took in a deep breath and marched out of the chamber, grimly.

Let the Pehlav be kind on us, Mahini prayed.

Aara : Legacy of the fire queen,
Vandana Rajan

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