7 Gurukula Days: Interrupted

Shaurya raced after the Black shadow . The shadow turned his packed body around to just give out a boisterous laugh.Shaurya knocked out the shadow with his elbow. Finally the shadow retaliated ,he flung out his sword from his black clothing and threw it at Shaurya. Shaurya fought back with his sword, but this shadow was very strong. It started to get difficult to tackle the attacks. Just when Shaurya was about to lose grip of his sword, a third sword came in. Gowri flicked the shadow's sword right out of his hands. The shadow panicked and fled to the gates of the Gurukula. Shaurya and Chaya chased the shadow to the gates,until he disappeared into the darkness. Shaurya wondered gasping for breath, ' Who might that be?'. Charithran arrived at Shaurya's cottage later that day," Did he leave any scars on you?! He would have to face my wrath if he did so!". Shaurya couldn't decipher the anger," I'm good. You must check on Gowri. Damn those rebels!". Charithran threw an amused look at Shaurya," That was not a rebel my boy! That was a spy from the kingdom of Eroth,our sworn enemy!". Shaurya squinted hard ,he had never heard of this sworn enemy from anyone at all. Charithran remained silent for a Moment, his expression indicating worry. He finally straightened his face," Once upon a time that kingdom was the most comforting place for me. I had passed many an enjoyable time of my life there." Charithran sighed deep in thoughts. Shaurya interrupted his thoughts," What happened with that kingdom? Why are they our enemies?".These were questions that made his mind reckless Charithran himself wanted to forget all the things that had occurred. Charithran replied," There might come a time when I shall feel comfortable talking about this. Then you shall know. For now let's not push it". Shaurya knew that Charithran was a wise man , so he left quietly after giving a tight hug to Charithran. Meanwhile the two love birds by the lake had no idea about the world around them. Chaya giggled and pushed Chandruhasa as she ran towards the sword arena. There she spots Charithran sitting with a worried look. Charithran looks up to find Chaya and Chandruhasa by him. Charithran mumbles,"I think it's high time we face the threats from Eroth". The kingdom of Eroth had slowly started to encroach the land of Abhati , Acala and the surrounding kingdoms. The Kingdom of Abhati had a mighty army but it was very small in number compared to Eroth. The strange thing about the invasions was that the citizens were never harmed , but the control over the trade and wealth alone was seized. One would wonder why Eroth should be kind to the invaded land. The invasions were not sudden either , they took place after atleast a month old notice. Everyone was puzzled a bit by this, as one might wonder why should one inform about the attack each time beforehand. But each time there was an attack the king would visit Charithran and would hold discussions in secret. Everyone used to wonder why he held the discussion only with Charithran. Back to the present , Chaya comforted Charithran by preparing a herbal drink for him. While Chandruhasa tried his best at comforting," Don't worry guruji , you have a rock  like Shaurya. He would totally live alone for the rest of his life and serve you". With that Chandruhasa went into a fit of laughter, thinking about Shaurya with a girl. Charithran gives him a death stare and sips into his herbal drink deep in thoughts. Meanwhile Gowri was sitting in her cottage balcony gently tending to her hair with natural herbs. She suddenly sits up alarmed , as if she heard a trespasser.She slowly moves to her wooden shelf and swings her sword. Shaurya clumsily appears from the back of the shelf. He smiles ," oh! I was Just trying to hone my spying skills. It's a part of our training". That was it Gowri couldn't control herself anymore. From the moment she heard that Shaurya was going to be a prince  she decided to ignore him. She had always thought that royal men are spoilt. But he had shown only amazing qualities since she she got here . She also knew that she wouldn't mind if he were a bit spoilt, he was her's anyways. She smiles at Shaurya and eyes him ," Remember the mark I left on your cheek. You are mine". Shaurya got down on one knee , submitting his sword," Yes ma'am, your wish my command". Gowri couldn't stop grinning and eyeing him like he was a barfi. Gowri tried to control her blush and smile," Now tell have you been admiring other girls. With a body like yours I'm sure girls have been sniffing around you!". Shaurya gave a roaring laughter," I have to say ,that mark you made was keeping me loyal. I'm afraid I might need more before I run out". With that Gowri embraced Shaurya and looked into his eyes," I'm going to mark you so well that any other girl will shiver to even think about you". From that night onwards Shaurya blushed hard whenever Gowri passed by or even the thought of her made him flustered. Meanwhile Gowri was already contemplating their marriage . She softened Shaurya so much that he was now called a gentle giant. He  followed Gowri everywhere after training. He learnt gardening, knitting shawls, tending to her hair and even sometimes tried to feed her. The boys would watch him have a conversation with a rose for hours in awe. Shaurya used to be a reckless giant. But now he talks to plants to help them grow. He would whisper," Hey little rose, one day you are going to be so close to my Gowri. I envy you". Chandruhasa and the other boys would roll on the ground laughing when he talks to plants. Just like this many years passby. As the years go by the love between Chaya and Chandruhasa deepens. The love between Shaurya and Gowri makes them both melt. Finally , a storm arrives in their lives. It is the eighteenth birthday of Shaurya, he gets up early in the morning wearing Gowri's favourite scent. While a messenger arrives at Charithran's cottage with a nerve wracking news...