TRIAL-END OF AN ERA

Chapter-141

She was rested in the flower bed. It was filled with white lilies and candles. Even the majestic armor couldn't hide her sorrow. Her sword and mask were removed from the coffin. The entire crowd was silent. Jiva caressed her and adorned her face with rouge and flowers. Tears were dripping in the room engulfed in silence and darkness.

"Till her end, she was the princess of Hiranga, the serpent queen but she was also the crowned princess of Amai. She should get the farewell she deserved." Jiva tuned towards Ashok and stumbled over Naman who just witnessed her silence.

"Naman, lead her to Hiranga with Deva. But you should be back by morning."

"Prince then you.."

"I should stay..." He looked at her lifeless body in silence.

Yuvan was brought back to his mansion. The entire night in the peak of angst exhausted him. He was tired but resolute to turn every stone he met in his favor. The loneliness around him was submerging him in darkness.

"Bruddah, Ashok... is missing." Abhik rushed to his brother.

"Huh??"

"Our soldiers saw him getting into the prison. "

"Yes, I ordered him. " Yuvan nodded in anxiety.

"But the fire..."

"He is taken with her??"

A loud ringing sound interrupted them. It was followed by serial rings. The sound was getting stronger. They rushed out only to meet Charan speeding towards them.

"Lord... outside..."

"What is this sound??"

"Lord... it's a mess. "

They were confused by his answers and went with him. The ringing sound was still there. It was changing its direction, reverberating from all sides. The echo was even felt from the ground. The streets shocked them. It was mourning. The poles were covered with black flags and the air had floating white petals.

"This...??"

"Lord we..."

"Prince please come with me." The sub-general who accused her suddenly showed up before him.

"You?? Are you not pleased enough?" Abhik was in a rage.

"Prince, it's not time to argue. Please follow me. Amai is in danger."

Yuvan followed him and was led to a nearby temple. He pointed at the huge bell in the east of the temple. Yuvan walked towards it and saw a black cloth tied with a red rose on the bell.

"Prince, I can swear we didn't keep the cloak or rose. If this rose is real, then Amai is in grave danger."

"Red rose? Are you sure it is not a white rose dipped in blood!" Abhik said with sarcasm. But he soon noticed his brother's face turning gray.

"Bruddah, what happened? It's not white, then why panic?"

"It is not white nor should be seen in Amai. If it's him, then we really need to panic." The sub general told Abhik.

"Huh??"

"Red rose is the symbol of Jiva, crown prince of Hiranga," Charan said.

"Lord, other than himself who dares to use this. He is here. " Charan reported his concern.

"If he is here then the hawks have entered Amai. But why?? They never get in between serpents." Yuvan was frustrated with them.

"Is it a civil war in Hiranga?" Abhik asked.

"From what I think, Jiva is more dangerous than Amanya. Amanya is cruel and cunning but Jiva can control Amanya means, he is not simple. He can command hawks means he is powerful. He has too much in his sleeves. Gather the soldiers and patrol the entire capital. I think they are aiming at the envoys."

The ringing decreased and disappeared by noon. The whole capital looked as if it was inhabited by ghosts. People were afraid to get out. Yuvan was wary of the sudden silence.

"Fire... Fire..."

"Help..."

"Fields are in fire..."

Large fumes occupied the capital.