Disclaimer: All characters excluding Kani and Lani are not mine. I am only
borrowing them to fulfill my sick twisted obsession with bad evil villains.
Don't Say Goodbye
Kani woke to the feel of sunshine on her face and she groaned. Sitting up from her bed she saw that Mola was gone. Smiling to herself at the thought of him, she climbed out of bed and began getting dressed. As she stood at her mirror putting her hair in a simple braid her father walked in unannounced. Kani jumped in alarm at his presence but regained her composure quickly. Chattar pretended not to notice her jumpiness and walked casually up to his daughter.
"Well, Kani. How have you been? We have not gotten a chance to talk in quite sometime."
Kani instantly became cautious at his friendly demeanor, "I am doing well father. I have nothing to complain about. How have you been?"
Chattar shook his head and smiled slightly, "I am feeling well my dear. I was concerned because I was talking to the maids and they said that you did not return to your room last night. I certainly hope you were not up to something...unpleasant."
Kani looked her father directly in the eye and smiled sweetly, "Why father, are you suggesting disreputable behavior from your daughter? I would never do such a thing. Why, I was simply enjoying all the things that Pankot had to offer and fell asleep in a most fascinating room with statues and animal tapestries everywhere. It was a beautiful room and I am afraid I spent too much time playing in there and forgot about the time. I sat on the bed and then fell asleep. That is all, father. I would never do anything to hurt your standing in the palace."
Chattar looked into his daughter's eyes and sighed, "very well just be sure it doesn't happen again. I would hate to lose my position in this palace from one of your antics."
Having made his point Chattar turned around and left her room. He closed the door after him and smiled. She did not suspect that anyone had seen her shameful behavior. Walking towards the conference room he laughed. Everything was going as he had planned. Soon the old Maharajah would be dead and he could place his puppet on the throne and be ruler of Pankot.
After the door closed, Kani concentrated on not screaming out in anger. Finally calming down from her father's irritating attitude about her Kani finished getting ready for the day and took Lani from the cage in the corner, "Lani, lets go find Mola. Maybe he found something good about this day."
The two friends left the room and began to hunt down Mola.
"We do not need more troops to go with us. We have enough to put down the rebels for good. We do not need to waste more soldiers on this war."
Mola shook his head, "You want only glory from a hard earned win but I want this long standing nuisance gone. If I have to send out every soldier we have to win this I will. We need to stop the resistance, not gain glory for the palace. "
General Ternik sneered, "You were a simple soldier before becoming our "esteemed" advisor. You know nothing of the planning of war. We know what we are doing so let us figure this out and then you can put your mark on it and you job will be done. Let us handle this."
"General Ternik," that is quite enough. "
Everyone turned to see the Maharajah stand up from his seat and instantly became silent.
"I feel animosity towards my advisor in this room and this fills me with grief. Are there those here that do not trust my decision on an advisor?"
A small thump drew the attention of the council and Chattar Lol bowed before the entire assembly, "Excuse me for my intrusion but General Rohtan was scheduled to teach out future leader the concepts of strategy. "
The Maharajah bowed his lead and placed his fingers on the bridge of his nose, "Chattar, please wait until I have told them what they will be doing then Rohtan will accompany you."
Turning back to his speech the ruler of Pankot continued, "I am saddened at this lack of trust but I have a solution. Mola Ram will be my eyes and ears out in the field. He will be solely in charge of all things. Perhaps when you see his capabilities then you will trust him as I do."
There was silence in the room as the Maharajah sat once again. The generals muttered in defiance but since they all wished to keep their heads they bowed low to show that they accepted the decision. Mola could not understand why his liege would use this war as an extreme way for the palace to accept his position as advisor. Looking at the Maharajah with concern and only the slightest bit of anger, Mola bowed his head in acceptance. The generals stood in shocked silence until Mola became irritated by their disbelieving looks.
"Get the troops ready. We will take one more company then recently agreed upon. This is my decision and I will hear no rebuke. Go."
The generals bowed their heads and then exited the room. Mola waited until the entire group was gone before turning to the Maharajah, "My liege, you know I serve you in all things but is this leadership really necessary? I was given the job of protecting you and this palace, not leading troops around in the jungle."
The ruler of Pankot stood up and put his hand on Mola's shoulder, "Mola, as my subject, I am ordering you to do this but as my friend I am asking you to. I need a person I can trust to be there with my treacherous generals. As you know there is one among them that is turning information over to the bandits. I need to find out who it is. I know you want to stay here and train Kani with her power and I know you would rather be protecting me but I need this from you. You are one of the few people I trust."
Mola sighed and kneeled before his ruler, " I see the need my liege and will do as you command. I hope you are careful for while I am gone you will have no protector. I know the castle guards Sire, and they will do anything for the right price."
Nodding his understanding, the Maharajah walked back to his throne, "Mola, prepare yourself for this war and you should perhaps tell Kani where you will be going. You need to give her plenty of time to get used to the idea. You leave tomorrow morning"
Sighing in resignation, Mola bowed once more and left the room. Walking towards his bedroom he tried to think of a way to tell Kani that he would be leaving for perhaps many months. Turning the last corner he bumped right into Kani and Lani.
"There you are Mola! We have been looking for you and just checked your room to see if you had returned. Where have you been?"
Mola looked into Kani's eyes and her smile disappeared at his solemn expression. He held her at arms length and looked her up and down. She was dressed in soft blue silk trousers and a black baggy tunic. She was carrying Lani on her shoulder and her hair was in a harried braid. He smiled sadly at her beautiful appearance before pulling her into his arms. Kani began to be worried at Mola's actions but couldn't say anything while he buried his head in her neck and hair. Mola finally released Kani from the life stealing embrace and smiled at her worried face. Wrapping his arm around her waist, Mola led Kani into his room. Once they were alone Mola pulled Kani towards him and drew her into desperate kiss. Kani pulled away with fear.
"Mola, what is going on? What is the matter?"
He smiled to calm her but when her worried expression did not fade he sighed and bowed his head in defeat.
"Kani, you know that I care for you deeply. I have some bad news. After you went to sleep, I went back to the conference room and heard the testimony of the soldier. He said that the Iron Rod Bandits were declaring war on this palace. We are going to war Kani."
Kani gasped and held Mola close. She knew that as advisor, he would be asked to do dangerous missions and she held her breath.
Mola continued, "I have been commanded to lead the army into the jungle."
Kani backed away from Mola in horror, "H-how could they do such a thing? Why you? I don't understand."
Mola held his head in his hands and steeled himself for her tirade. Kani closed he eyes and Mola watched two silent tears stream down her face, "I don't want you to go Mola."
Mola stood up and once again folded her into his arms, " I am not going to be gone forever. The Maharajah simply feels more at ease if he had someone he trusts going on the mission. I have no choice and neither do you dear."
Taking Mola's face in her hands she softly kissed his quivering lips. She knew he had to go. It was his duty as advisor. She knew this but her heart rejected its truth. Kani stayed in Mola's arms for what seemed like eternity until Mola moved slightly and kissed the top of her head, "I am sorry Kani but I need you to go back to your room. I have to get ready for my journey into war and to put it simply, you are too distracting for me."
He looked down to see a fleeting smile float across Kani's face before it once again became somber. He found himself smiling at the thought of all those wonderful distractions but pushed them out of his mind till only thoughts of armor and weapons were left.
Kani nodded at his request and stepped away form him, "Goodbye Mola. I would have hoped to see you off but if I was present I would cry out for you and raise suspicions. Know that you are in my heart always and my absence is for both our safety's."
Mola stepped back into her arms, "Don't say goodbye, Kani. I won't say it because I am coming back. Please do not think of it as goodbye, it is a parting of way for a while."
Kani nodded and then began weeping at the prospect of losing her only love only hours after their joyous union. The two lovers stood in each other's arms and thought about the upcoming war and the trails that lay ahead for their love.
Chattar watched his daughter and the advisor hold each other and once again fought down the surge of revolution. It was sickening but if his plan went through successfully then both parties would have plenty of time to suffer for their tainted love. He smiled at their tearful farewell. Yes, he thought, say your goodbyes. It will be the last time you ever see each other.
Don't Say Goodbye
Kani woke to the feel of sunshine on her face and she groaned. Sitting up from her bed she saw that Mola was gone. Smiling to herself at the thought of him, she climbed out of bed and began getting dressed. As she stood at her mirror putting her hair in a simple braid her father walked in unannounced. Kani jumped in alarm at his presence but regained her composure quickly. Chattar pretended not to notice her jumpiness and walked casually up to his daughter.
"Well, Kani. How have you been? We have not gotten a chance to talk in quite sometime."
Kani instantly became cautious at his friendly demeanor, "I am doing well father. I have nothing to complain about. How have you been?"
Chattar shook his head and smiled slightly, "I am feeling well my dear. I was concerned because I was talking to the maids and they said that you did not return to your room last night. I certainly hope you were not up to something...unpleasant."
Kani looked her father directly in the eye and smiled sweetly, "Why father, are you suggesting disreputable behavior from your daughter? I would never do such a thing. Why, I was simply enjoying all the things that Pankot had to offer and fell asleep in a most fascinating room with statues and animal tapestries everywhere. It was a beautiful room and I am afraid I spent too much time playing in there and forgot about the time. I sat on the bed and then fell asleep. That is all, father. I would never do anything to hurt your standing in the palace."
Chattar looked into his daughter's eyes and sighed, "very well just be sure it doesn't happen again. I would hate to lose my position in this palace from one of your antics."
Having made his point Chattar turned around and left her room. He closed the door after him and smiled. She did not suspect that anyone had seen her shameful behavior. Walking towards the conference room he laughed. Everything was going as he had planned. Soon the old Maharajah would be dead and he could place his puppet on the throne and be ruler of Pankot.
After the door closed, Kani concentrated on not screaming out in anger. Finally calming down from her father's irritating attitude about her Kani finished getting ready for the day and took Lani from the cage in the corner, "Lani, lets go find Mola. Maybe he found something good about this day."
The two friends left the room and began to hunt down Mola.
"We do not need more troops to go with us. We have enough to put down the rebels for good. We do not need to waste more soldiers on this war."
Mola shook his head, "You want only glory from a hard earned win but I want this long standing nuisance gone. If I have to send out every soldier we have to win this I will. We need to stop the resistance, not gain glory for the palace. "
General Ternik sneered, "You were a simple soldier before becoming our "esteemed" advisor. You know nothing of the planning of war. We know what we are doing so let us figure this out and then you can put your mark on it and you job will be done. Let us handle this."
"General Ternik," that is quite enough. "
Everyone turned to see the Maharajah stand up from his seat and instantly became silent.
"I feel animosity towards my advisor in this room and this fills me with grief. Are there those here that do not trust my decision on an advisor?"
A small thump drew the attention of the council and Chattar Lol bowed before the entire assembly, "Excuse me for my intrusion but General Rohtan was scheduled to teach out future leader the concepts of strategy. "
The Maharajah bowed his lead and placed his fingers on the bridge of his nose, "Chattar, please wait until I have told them what they will be doing then Rohtan will accompany you."
Turning back to his speech the ruler of Pankot continued, "I am saddened at this lack of trust but I have a solution. Mola Ram will be my eyes and ears out in the field. He will be solely in charge of all things. Perhaps when you see his capabilities then you will trust him as I do."
There was silence in the room as the Maharajah sat once again. The generals muttered in defiance but since they all wished to keep their heads they bowed low to show that they accepted the decision. Mola could not understand why his liege would use this war as an extreme way for the palace to accept his position as advisor. Looking at the Maharajah with concern and only the slightest bit of anger, Mola bowed his head in acceptance. The generals stood in shocked silence until Mola became irritated by their disbelieving looks.
"Get the troops ready. We will take one more company then recently agreed upon. This is my decision and I will hear no rebuke. Go."
The generals bowed their heads and then exited the room. Mola waited until the entire group was gone before turning to the Maharajah, "My liege, you know I serve you in all things but is this leadership really necessary? I was given the job of protecting you and this palace, not leading troops around in the jungle."
The ruler of Pankot stood up and put his hand on Mola's shoulder, "Mola, as my subject, I am ordering you to do this but as my friend I am asking you to. I need a person I can trust to be there with my treacherous generals. As you know there is one among them that is turning information over to the bandits. I need to find out who it is. I know you want to stay here and train Kani with her power and I know you would rather be protecting me but I need this from you. You are one of the few people I trust."
Mola sighed and kneeled before his ruler, " I see the need my liege and will do as you command. I hope you are careful for while I am gone you will have no protector. I know the castle guards Sire, and they will do anything for the right price."
Nodding his understanding, the Maharajah walked back to his throne, "Mola, prepare yourself for this war and you should perhaps tell Kani where you will be going. You need to give her plenty of time to get used to the idea. You leave tomorrow morning"
Sighing in resignation, Mola bowed once more and left the room. Walking towards his bedroom he tried to think of a way to tell Kani that he would be leaving for perhaps many months. Turning the last corner he bumped right into Kani and Lani.
"There you are Mola! We have been looking for you and just checked your room to see if you had returned. Where have you been?"
Mola looked into Kani's eyes and her smile disappeared at his solemn expression. He held her at arms length and looked her up and down. She was dressed in soft blue silk trousers and a black baggy tunic. She was carrying Lani on her shoulder and her hair was in a harried braid. He smiled sadly at her beautiful appearance before pulling her into his arms. Kani began to be worried at Mola's actions but couldn't say anything while he buried his head in her neck and hair. Mola finally released Kani from the life stealing embrace and smiled at her worried face. Wrapping his arm around her waist, Mola led Kani into his room. Once they were alone Mola pulled Kani towards him and drew her into desperate kiss. Kani pulled away with fear.
"Mola, what is going on? What is the matter?"
He smiled to calm her but when her worried expression did not fade he sighed and bowed his head in defeat.
"Kani, you know that I care for you deeply. I have some bad news. After you went to sleep, I went back to the conference room and heard the testimony of the soldier. He said that the Iron Rod Bandits were declaring war on this palace. We are going to war Kani."
Kani gasped and held Mola close. She knew that as advisor, he would be asked to do dangerous missions and she held her breath.
Mola continued, "I have been commanded to lead the army into the jungle."
Kani backed away from Mola in horror, "H-how could they do such a thing? Why you? I don't understand."
Mola held his head in his hands and steeled himself for her tirade. Kani closed he eyes and Mola watched two silent tears stream down her face, "I don't want you to go Mola."
Mola stood up and once again folded her into his arms, " I am not going to be gone forever. The Maharajah simply feels more at ease if he had someone he trusts going on the mission. I have no choice and neither do you dear."
Taking Mola's face in her hands she softly kissed his quivering lips. She knew he had to go. It was his duty as advisor. She knew this but her heart rejected its truth. Kani stayed in Mola's arms for what seemed like eternity until Mola moved slightly and kissed the top of her head, "I am sorry Kani but I need you to go back to your room. I have to get ready for my journey into war and to put it simply, you are too distracting for me."
He looked down to see a fleeting smile float across Kani's face before it once again became somber. He found himself smiling at the thought of all those wonderful distractions but pushed them out of his mind till only thoughts of armor and weapons were left.
Kani nodded at his request and stepped away form him, "Goodbye Mola. I would have hoped to see you off but if I was present I would cry out for you and raise suspicions. Know that you are in my heart always and my absence is for both our safety's."
Mola stepped back into her arms, "Don't say goodbye, Kani. I won't say it because I am coming back. Please do not think of it as goodbye, it is a parting of way for a while."
Kani nodded and then began weeping at the prospect of losing her only love only hours after their joyous union. The two lovers stood in each other's arms and thought about the upcoming war and the trails that lay ahead for their love.
Chattar watched his daughter and the advisor hold each other and once again fought down the surge of revolution. It was sickening but if his plan went through successfully then both parties would have plenty of time to suffer for their tainted love. He smiled at their tearful farewell. Yes, he thought, say your goodbyes. It will be the last time you ever see each other.