CHAPTER 26: THE IMPENDING WAR

“I have no objection to this!”  King Ravichandran admitted excitedly.  “I believe that you alone can prove to be more than a match for my enemy.  Besides, it would also offer an excellent opportunity for Rajaveeraji to gauge the extent of your powers and prowess!”

Rajaveera acceded.

Things began to shape up fast thereafter.  A messenger was sent to Sumegha with an open threat of a war to the King should he not relent to relinquish his claim over Amlanagar.  This came as a rude shock to Chandrashekar for he had agreed to have peaceful talks regarding this imbroglio with his neighbor.  He also could not fathom how Aryaman, a lover of peace, could allow this to happen! 

The King called for an urgent meeting with his ministers and asked for their views. All of them were unanimously not in favor of going for a war knowing Aryaman’s prowess only too well.

Chandrashekhar too was worried about this aspect but then he was a man who was too concerned about his self-esteem being in peril should he not accept this challenge thrown at him. 

Moreover, the King had some secret at his disposal, which could come very handy during a battle!  Finally, he accepted the challenge and told the messenger to inform Ravichandran that the battle be fought in a vast open ground near their border, which was called Pallghat, in a fortnight.  Soon, the emissary returned to Pallava with this message that thrilled Ravichandran. 

The people, however, were a worried lot.  Just when they had begun to lead a contented life, the news of this impending war destroyed their peace of mind and filled them with consternation about its outcome.  Some of them asked Aryaman as to why he was not attempting to stop the war.  He only replied that something good may come out of all this and asked everyone to repose faith in him. 

Once during their meeting, Aditi asked him, “You have always believed in peace!  Then, why are you letting these rulers face each other in war?”

Aryaman smiled at her, “Sometimes it is only in moments of adversity that you realize some precious facts in life.  Just like in your case, Aditi, are you not watchful about your safety while drawing water from that well?  This change in attitude for the better came along only after you fell inside the well.  Right?”

Aditi nodded her head.  “I am worried about your safety!”  Expressing her concern, she tightly hugged him and murmured, “What if something happens to you?”   There were tears in her eyes as she posed this question.

Wiping her tears gently, Aryaman tried to allay her fears, “Do not think much about it, my child!  You are such a brave girl!  You have led your life with such a beautiful attitude despite the loss of your parents.  Why should you now think in these terms, which saddens your heart?  Irrespective of what happens to me in the war, you have good memories about me!  Think about them, which will make you feel happy.  After all, it is only memories which all of us leave behind finally in our lives!”

“Will there be bloodshed?  Guruji tells us that war means a bloodbath!”  Aditi indicated.