Ru-Ka-Na, a tale of worlds
Three: Her
She was a born warrior, he could tell.
The way she whirled with sword hand held still, holding the blade with perfect balance while she looked for the next artery to sever, arm to slice, heart to skewer,
extinguishing one life and moving to the next to be taken, the complete absence of fear, shame and regret.
They had come upon a little convoy of civilians guarded by three soldierly figures, under attack from a band of Dakus,
winding it’s way through the Dhokam wilds, away from one war and towards the next.
He needn’t have bothered trying to help. She, alone, was enough to set them to flee, a counterattack from a seemingly helpless target being unexpected to say the least.
he was unprepared, however,for the sudden reversal of her demeanor when she saw the Sarkham’s stripes- she deflated, something of her manner lost as she seemed to register the presence of a superior, perhaps benign friendly being.
“I am a Raahass, and I protect these travellers. We need your help.”
They were spared a Somvriksh- a regenerative plant, some grain,
and given a hand-written petition from the Sarkham to the Governor of Uttara:
“Your most Efficient and Compassionate Lordship,
We have no defences. The Dhokham Collective is the last outpost where the hordes can gather before making the journey through the Badlands of the North.
We have received word that they, too, have discovered the water tree, and are preparing a military campaign that will cross this vast wasteland.
I, therefore implore you to speedily dispatch a garrison with utmost haste, as the Suras will surely overrun us and and encamp around the sacred fire.
Your most loyal and truthful servant,
Dhokla,
Sarkham of Pehla Akkua Collective”
In the night, she had cradled Kallu, falling into a deep sleep the likes of which he had never seen, for sleep was not something that he had ever needed.
In the morning, as they packed up and left, he saw the recognition in her eyes of what he felt-
their paths would cross again.
