you.’
‘You’re the one who’s looking at death in the face, barbarian,’ said the hooded figure,
conveying anger through his posture rather than his voice, which remained eerily composed.
Shiva noticed the brown-turbaned officer look impatiently at the hooded figure. He clearly
wanted to attack fast and get this over with.
Dissension in the ranks?
‘The only face I’m looking at is a stupid festival mask. And it’s soon going to be shoved down
your pathetic little throat! Also tell that brainless lieutenant of yours that he shouldn’t give battle
plans away.’
The hooded figure remained calm. Not turning to look at Vishwadyumna.
Damn! This man is good.
‘This is the last warning, barbarian,’ repeated the hooded figure. ‘Hand her over right now’
Sati suddenly turned towards the carriage as she realised something, shouting, ‘Mother! The
new emergency conch shell close to the front grill. Blow it now!’
A loud plea for help emitted from the carriage. Bhabravya and his men had been summoned.
The hooded figure cursed as he realised his advantage had been taken away. He had very little
time to complete his operation. The other Suryavanshis would be back soon. ‘Charge!’
The Arishtanemi stayed in position.
‘Steady,’ said Shiva. ‘Wait for them. All you have to do is buy time. Keep the princess safe.
Our friends will be back soon.’
As the Chandravanshis came closer, Sati suddenly broke through the cordon and attacked
the hooded figure. Sati’s surprise attack slowed the charge of the Chandravanshis. The
Arishtanemi had no choice. They charged at the Chandravanshis like vicious tigers.
Shiva moved quickly to protect the right flank of Sati as an advancing Vishwadyumna got
dangerously close to her. Vishwadyumna swung his sword to force Shiva out of his way.
However, the speed of Shiva’s advance left Vishwadyumna unbalanced. Shiva easily parried the
blow and pushed Vishwadyumna back with his shield. Nandi meanwhile moved rapidly to the left
of Sati to block the Chandravanshis trying to charge down that side.
In the meantime, Sati was attacking the hooded figure with fierce blows. The hooded figure,
however, seemed intent to defend himself and was not striking back. He wanted her alive and
unharmed.
Shiva cut Vishwadyumna savagely across the shoulder that had been exposed when he was
pushed back. Grimacing, Vishwadyumna brought his shield up to fend off another attack from
Shiva. With the same movement, Vishwadyumna brought his sword arm up to thrust at Shiva’s
torso. Shiva quickly pulled his shield in to protect himself. But not quickly enough.
Vishwadyumna was able to slash Shiva’s chest. Stepping back and jumping to his right, Shiva
brought his sword swifdy down in a brutal jab. While Vishwadyumna prompdy brought his shield
up to block the attack, Shiva’s unorthodox move unsettled him. He staggered back realising that
Shiva was an excellent swordsman. It was going to be a hard and long duel.
Nandi had already brought down one Chandravanshi soldier who had broken a law of
combat of never attacking below the waist and cut Nandi’s thigh. Bleeding profusely, Nandi was
ferociously battling another soldier who had attacked him from the left. The Chandravanshi
brought his shield down hard on Nandi’s injured leg, making him stagger and fall. The
Chandravanshi thought he had his man. Raising his sword high with both his hands, he was
about to bring it down to finish the job but he suddenly arched forward, as if a brutal force had
singke
(singke)
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