Ineffable Conquest

Welcome to Astralaya!!

Daara nodded and followed the mysterious woman.

Daara questioned, 'Why have you covered your faces.'

Woman smirked and said, 'What is the urgency, Daara. I thought we had time.' Now, Daara was accompanied by both the mysterious figures. Mysterious woman said, 'I shall narrate further.'

Yoddha chief hugged Erica and questioned her,

'Dear Erica is it really you. You have changed alot.'

'Of course. Meet my sons...'

Before Erica could introduce, Xavier interrupted,

'What should we say O...'

Laughing, Sairendri said 'Hi, works.'

'Hi Yoddha chief I am Xander, son of Manu and Godavari. If you don't mind can I tell you something,' said Xander.

(He is flirting!)

'Yes sure,' she said giggling.

'I thought Yoddha chief would be an aged woman. But you are so young and not to forget beautiful too.'

(Somebody stop him.)

'Don't flirt Xander,' said Dwayne.

( Ah! There he is.)

'So sweet of you Xander,' said Sairendri blushingly.

'I apologise for my son's behaviour.'

'Its fine Erica but tell me what are you doing here in Zimland. Why have you dressed like commoners?'

'Dear Sairendri, I don't have time to explain. I have to leave Zimland quickly.'

'Not so soon lady,' said a Yoddha.

He was riding a horse. He came towards Erica. He appeared to be a skilled warrior as he had multiple battle scars. His voice was deep and harsh. He said,

'Only nobility can pass through Zimland. Give us proof that you belong to nobility.'

Erica turned her back towards that Yoddha. Back of her neck were two symbols. It appeared as if the symbols were imprinted. One was of lion and another was of diamond.

'You must have painted it,' said the Yoddha. 'Let me check if its real or not.'

Erica's sons were agitated and grew angry of this statement. Dwayne was first to react,

'B*stard don't you dare to touch my mother. Even if your little finger touches a single strand of hair I will wreck your hands and crush your head.'

'Behave Karan,' said Sairendri. 'You are talking to the queen of Southerland. I have verified her. You are dismissed.'

'Shamashv pratinidhi.'

After uttering these two unrecognised words Karan left.

'Sairendri meet my eldest son Beckett, Southerland's new king and Emperor of Sech,' said Erica.

Beckett lost his mind. For past 23 years he who lived as a commoner, is now suddenly called as emperor of Sech. A rush of thoughts went through his brothers. They were confused of their future.

Erica completed formalities. They were medically tested. Ensuring they were not infected, they were given permission to leave Zimland. After crossing the border they entered a new kingdom.

'Mother which kingdom have we entered,' said Xander curiously.

'This kingdom is so different from Zimland.'

'Astralaya,' said Anthony.

'Yes,' said Erica. 'We have to pass through this kingdom to reach Southerland.'

Beckett had a great sense of hearing. He could hear even the faintest of sounds. He heard footsteps. Footsteps of warriors.

'Alert! We are surrounded.'

'How many?' said Anthony.

'I don't care Anthony,' said Dwayne. 'I will crush them.'

Beckett had a spear in his hand, Dwayne had his mace, Anthony was ready to shoot an arrow, Xavier and Xander took out their swords. They surrounded Erica. There was no fear on anybody's face. Erica took out a dagger.

Erica was calm. She addressed,

'We know you have surrounded us. Please come out of your hiding and tell us about your motive.'

Twenty warriors came out. Some were Yoddhas while some were Humans. Amongst them was a skinny woman who had a trident in her hand. She was different from the rest. She had wore an armor of platinum which covered her whole body though her dark black hair was free flowing. She had almond shaped eyes, curved nose and strawberry lips. Her appearance could make even the most beautiful woman jealous of her.

She addressed,

'Well lady it is unusual to welcome visitors from Zimland. Leave about my motives. Think about yourself. If you don't specify your motives then I have to hang you to death.'

'Who are you lady to hang us to death?' said Dwayne.

'I am not liable to answer a petty commoner.'

'Did she call me pretty.'

(Is he deaf?)

'Really brother Dwayne. You heard pretty. She called you petty!' said Anthony disgustingly.

'Lady, I am queen Erica of Southerland.'

'Lady. Erm..I mean queen Erica. Umm...Are you really..?'

'I know it must be difficult for you to believe.'

'No not really. I know only royal lineage is allowed to leave Zimland. If Aunt Sairendri has allowed you to pass then I believe you are queen Erica.'

'Thank you for believing me lady. I hope you could introduce yourself.

'Yes of course. I am Aditi, crown princess of Astralaya. This is my bunch of protection. Though I believe I don't need them but you know father is a bit overprotective.'

'That was a quite an introduction,' said Dwayne.

(Is Dwayne flirting?)

'Leave us alone warriors.'

Dwayne was mesmerized by Aditi's beauty. He was staring at her continuously. He was still. His mace ready to attack her.

'Brother Dwayne I hope you could lower your mace,' said Xander.

'Stop ogling brother Dwayne,' said Xavier.

All the brothers were stunned by Dwayne's behaviour. He was very shy with woman. Now, he was mesmerized by one. Xander and Xavier were laughing hard.

'Y...Yes of course. Yes. Yes...I am not ogling at her highness, rabbit.'

'Your name is rabbit,' said, giggling Aditi. 'Like a rabbit literally. Why is a handsome man like you named as rabbit?'

'No my highness. Name of this handsome man is Xavier.'

'He is not handsome, Aditi.' said Dwayne.

'Brother Dwayne!' said Xander. 'She is crown princess of Astralaya. You cannot address directly.'

'Xander, don't forget that if brother Beckett is the king of Southerland then I am crown prince of Southerland. So I can call her by name. Am I right Aditi?'

'Ummm...Queen Erica don't you know about Southerland's scenario? It is not easy for Beckett to ascend the throne.'

'Who will stop brother Beckett from ascending the throne? He has his brothers by his side,' said Anthony.

(Anthony is so emotional.)

'Anthony I am enough for them,' said Dwayne proudly. 'I will thwart everyone who will obstruct path of brother Beckett.'

(Now Dwayne is boasting.)

'Dwayne...Anthony we don't know anything about Southerland. I don't think we should talk about a rebellion right now. Let us first reach Southerland. Let mother guide us. We will thereafter decide what we should do.'

'Aditi I wanted to meet you,' said Erica. 'I know you are a diplomat stationed in Southerland. I wanted to know about the current scenario of Southerland.'

(How did she know about her?)

'Of course queen Erica I will tell you each and every piece of  information. For now I request you to accept Astralaya as your shelter. I have my chariot at a short distance. If you don't mind we can walk back to my chariot.'

'Sure Aditi. I don't mind walking.'

'Aren't you cute enough to be a crown princess,' said Xander.

(Xander is such a flirt.)

'Do you doubt my capability, young one.'

'No....No not at all your highness. I never thought that crown princess can be so cute.'

'Haha, you flirt good enough. Though I am not impressed.'

Dwayne laughed, 'Mwahahaha...Mwahahaha'

'Someone agrees with me. Aditi we are so similar.'

(Dwayne is so cheesy.)

'Is it really you, brother Dwayne!' said, suprised Xavier. 'I have never seen you having a conversation with a woman.'

'I do have conversations with woman,' said Dwayne angrily. 'Don't spread false rumours, Xavier.'

'Dwayne you are so much like a Mandha,' said Aditi laughing sheepishly.

'A....what!' exclaimed Dwayne.

'Wait for a moment,' said Aditi. 'You will see one.'

'Why are you laughing rabbit?' enquired Dwayne.

'You will understand brother Dwayne,' laughed Xavier.

Beckett and Anthony decided to confront Dwayne. They pulled Dwayne aside. The three of them were trailing a bit behind of others. Ensuring they are inaudible; Beckett and Anthony questioned Dwayne,

'Do you like her?'

'You are asking him wrong question brother Bec. You should ask when would you like to marry her?'

'I...I do like her brother Bec,' said Dwayne blushingly.

'Should I tell mother...' said Beckett.

'No, n...never, don't tell her about this,' said Dwayne.

'She could help you out brother Dwayne,' mumbled Anthony.

'What are you discussing Dwayne?' said Aditi with a wry smile on her face.

'Umm...Nothing dear....Erm...I mean Aditi.'

(Oh! He fumbled.)

'You are so cute Dwayne,' said Aditi. 'I like you.'

'Brother Dwayne she likes you!!!' said Xavier.

'Brother Dwayne I never thought somebody could call you cute,' said Xander.

(Xander is jealous of Dwayne.)

'Well...I...Umm,' fumbled Dwayne.

'Oh! Dwayne you look cute when you stutter,' said Aditi.

'I am happy my son Dwayne has taken a liking on you.'

(They were hearing the conversation. Oh! Women.)

'Ahem. What is our destination?' siad Dwayne.

'Astralaya Bhavan,' said Aditi.

'Who stays there?' said Erica.

'For now its just me.'

'What is this Astralaya Bhavan?' asked Dwayne.

'It is royal guesthouse of Astralaya.'

'Why are you staying in Bhavan then? You are crown princess. You should stay in royal palace,' said Dwayne.

'Dwayne don't you like to stay with me.'

(Why is she flirting now.)

'Here goes down brother Dwayne,' said Xavier.

'I had told you brother Dwayne to learn some flirting techniques,' said Xander.

'Ahem...Aditi I want to know the reason,' said Dwayne.

'Dwayne though I am crown princess, I am also a diplomat stationed in Southerland. I am only on a visit to Astralaya. Technically I am a guest of Astralaya.'

'Why are you visiting Astralaya?' enquired Dwayne.

'Dwayne don't bother her. It must be a secret,' said Erica.

'Sorry Dwayne, I am not allowed to disclose the reason of my visit.'

'We are sorry to bother you Aditi,' said Beckett.

'No Beckett its fine. That is my chariot. If queen permits then we can proceed to Bhavan.'

'Of course Aditi. Let's proceed.'

Chariot was large. Seven of them accommodated in it. Aditi told her charioteer to take them to Astralaya Bhavan.

'So Dwayne. You are skilled in mace,' said Aditi.

'Yes. What about you?'

'Not boasting but I am skilled in each and every weapon. My favourite weapon is a trident.'

'Trident?' questioned Dwayne.

'You don't know trident,' said Aditi.

'Only nobility knows about it,' said Erica. 'It is a rare weapon. Why don't you show Dwayne your trident?'

'Sure,' said Aditi happily. 'This is my trident Dwayne.'

'It appears as if two knifes are attached to spear.'

(Like really!)

'You could say that Dwayne,' said Aditi. 'Here Beckett take a look at it.'

'Surprisingly light weighted. My spear is heavier than this trident.'

'Made in Astralaya,' said Aditi proudly. 'Best weapons of Sech are produced here.'

By then they had reached the Bhavan. Astralaya Bhavan was a four-storey structure with a 100-foot three-storey tower. The palace was surrounded by a garden. Beautiful and rare birds lived in that garden. The entrance gate holds two swords, the symbol of the Astralaya kingdom. Under the symbol there was a motto which was in two languages, one being their own language and other being widely spoken English. The motto said, 'Peace prevails.'

The main complex was about 157 Ft in length and 66 Ft in width. Walls and pillars had intricate designs over them. Stunningly the palace had only one entrance. The four-storey stone building with pink marble domes had a facade with several arches. It was supported by tall pillars. The palace houses two ceremonial meeting halls. It also had a number of courtyards, rooms and halls. It had a long dining hall with only silverware used for serving food.

There were some people waiting for Erica and her sons. Who were the people waiting for Erica and her sons? Is it a trap of Aditi? Is Aditi going to hurt them? Is Aditi innocent? Answer them Daara.

Daara said, 'I don't know about the people. But I am sure Aditi isn't involved. She is a good soul. Also it appeared that Erica knew her. I have a gut feeling that Erica and her sons are safe.'

'Brilliant young one,' said a hoarse voice. 'I am impressed by your thinking. I will narrate further. Behold the mysteries as they unfold.'