Chapter 16: Fire and Air
Dasonda had already managed to prepare the fleet. Sixty seven ships along with Ogaan, were supposed to set sail, for the voyage around the five lands. The Emperor had finally agreed to take his daughters along with him, on Veerbhadra's insistence.
Veer Bhadra was the commander of the Capital guards. He was considered the second most influential Khsatriya after Jaivira. Veerbhadra's entire family were Khatriyas. His great grand-father and his elder brother, were apart of the Royal Guards, and had lost their lives during duty. He wished the same for himself. His wife however was a Brahmin. His father-in-law happened to be an administrator of Kaivalya, who never approved of Veerbhadra, but those are things of past now. Veerbhadra was a fierce warrior, who had lost one eye during an encounter with some anti-socials of Zaiden. Yet with one eye he could shoot and arrow which would find its target 100 miles away. May be that is why he was chosen by the erstwhile emperor to lead the capital guards.
Dasonda respected the commander, and believed his warnings. Veerbhadra had informed Dasonda that there may be attacks upon the royal fleet, therefore Dasonda had added weapons to each of the ships. Each of the sixty seven ships had twelve canon machines on each side. They also had a platform on the first mast of the starboard side for the archers. The ships were made of the thickest wood, which would take alot of fire-power from the enemy to sink. The Ogaan, being the royal ship on the other hand was made of steel and was the largest. Which made it unbreakable. The ogaan had twenty canons on each side. The Ogaan was supposed to transport the royal family, the commander of the royal army, the commander of the capital guards, and the royal adviser. One lakh Royal guards were supposed to be travelling and five thousand of them were to travel in the Ogaan.
Dasonda was informed that the fleet will set sail, after six months from the day of the naming of the second princess. He decided to take this time, to check the ships, to ensure the safety of all on board. Other than the ministers and guard, many Vaishyas also traveled with them, to sell their goods on the foreign states. From food items, to clothing, to animals many things were transported by the fleet. Fifteen of the ships were assigned for carrying the Vaishyas and their trade goods. Ten ships were for transporting arms and ammunition for the other stated. Three ships transported people, who wanted to relocate to other states, but didnot have enough Aurs to afford such transports. The rest of the ships were for the Khsatriyas and the ministers. Dasonda was from Kanaan. It had been a while since he had left the state. He and his wife now lived in the capital, but his parents decided to stay back at Kanaan. He was looking forward to their visit to Kanaan. The emperor had declared that he will visit Zaiden first and stay there for one year. Then he would visit Zaidee and stay there for three month, before visiting Kanaan, then Nazaan and then Kaivalya. As the Emperor had already declared they will hault at Kanaan and Kaivalya for two years each. He had initially decided to halt at Nazaan and Zaidee for three months, but after a lot of persuasion from Dharmeshnath, he had agreed to extend his stay in Nazaan for three months.
Dasonda had heard from the people that no emperor had ever spent ten years on a voyage around the states. It would take them more than six months to reach Zaiden, and their return journey from East Kaivalya would take nearly a year.
He had always felt that Vayuvijay was the greatest of all, and seemed like he was right. Vayuvijay's display of power before the naming ceremony of Ajinkya had already proved that he was born with the Bloodline Supreme operator.
How about the preparations going the thunder ask Shiva Shakti
We are nearly ready for the voice doesn't replied
"Gandfather!" Came a voice from behind him.
Shiva Shakti turned around to find his two granddaughters approaching him. The little one was in Shantipriya's lap and Ajeenkya was running furiously towards him.
"What are you two doing over here? Shanti why did you bring them?" he asked his wife
"When Ajinkya decides to do something nobody in the capital can prevent her!"
"At ease, " Shivasakthi commanded the capital guards who were accompanying the two princesses and their grand mother. Aboli stood right behind Shanti Priya always ready to tackle any danger approaching the princesses. The princesses never went anywhere without Aboli.
"Grandfather which ship shall we be travelling by?"
"The big silver one," Shivashakti replied pointing to the largest one of fleet."Ogaan that is the royal ship."
"Grandfather what is so special about it?"
" It is unsinkable Princess."Dasonda replied.
"Does that mean the other ships are sinkable?" Asked a petrified Ajeenkya.
"Of course not princess they all are safe, only ogaan has extra measures."
"Why does Ogaan have extraordinary
measures?"
"Because the little princesses will be travelling and nobody will want you or your sister to get hurt, would they?"
"What if others get hurt in the other ships? Why are you not worried about them?" Asked an indignant Ajinkya.
"Ok Princess I will make sure that all the ships have same measures as the Ogaan."
"Thank you minister." Said Ajinkya as she bowed to Dasonda with dasonda replicating her actions.
"Grandfather I want a tour of the ship."
"Will that be possible Dasonda?" Sivasakthi asked.
"Why not Royal Advisors sir?"
Ajeenkya was about to approach the ship when Veerbhadra's warning cry reached her.
"You cannot enter the ship before the day of sail." He shouted.
"But Lord Commander she is the princess," beseeched Dasonda, "Surely she can board!"
"Are you in charge of security Dasonda?" Veerbhadra asked him, in a steely voice.
"Forgive me my lord." Dasonda replied bowing to him.
"I am sorry princess," Veerbhadra said kneeling before the little girl so that they were at the same height "but such is the rule. However if you want to do anything else?"
"I want to go to the market." Ajeenkya said with a glee in her eyes. She was forbidden to visit any place which was accessible by the commoners, after the attack. Even The temple of Oracle also they could visit only when nobody was allowed.
"You know that won't be possible." Shivashakti intervened. "And day after tomorrow is the naming ceremony."
"I think we can try this one time." Veerbhadra said his eyes twinkling.
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On Veerbhadra's instruction, the Ajeenkya was dressed in ragged choli and dhoti, and her Angvastram was wrapped around her head and dropped till her forehead. She was covered lightly in dirt. Veerbhadra made sure she was unrecognisable.
As they stood at the arched entrance to the market, he whistled and a young boy of around 6 years jumped in front of them from the roof of nearby building. He was lean with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Samarbir, you will be her shadow. Don't let her get into any trouble. If you smell danger signal me." Veerbhadra told the little boy.
The boy noded.
"I want the baby to come with me."
"Not at all." Shantipriya protectively pulled the baby closer to her bust.
The baby excitedly leaned towards Ajeenkya.
"Shantipriya you take the younger one back to the castle. I will stay with Ajeenkya.
Shantipriya following her husband's command, boarded the carriage and left.
The child was crying furiously. Shantipriya felt her body was warming up more. She looked at the princess. She felt like she was holding a hot iron rod. The baby was turning red. She couldn't hold the baby anymore and placed her on the seat opposite to her. Suddenly the baby burst into flames.
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