Varunapriya (part 5)

The eldest prince smiled sweetly. 'Little Cactus, come close,' he said.

A bit confused, the little prince took a step forward when he was suddenly grabbed and hugged. A sloppy, wet kiss was pasted on his cheek, making him cringe. 'Eeh!' he grimaced.

'Ha ha ha ha!' the Yuvaraja* laughed boomingly and picked up his little brother in his hands, taking him outside. No amount of wriggling let the embarrassed little prince free from his big brother's embrace.

*crown prince, heir apparent

In the balcony, sand from the arid lands was already collecting on the railings despite it just having been cleaned a few hours ago. The expansive view showcased the high palace grounds set against the endless mountains.

Getting his little brother to stand on the dusty railing, the prince asked smilingly, 'Little brother, are you afraid?'

The small boy looked behind him where a fifty feet fall welcomed him were he to lose his footing. Then he saw his brother's strong arms which loosely circled the area around him. They weren't encircling him exactly, but they just as well may have. He could prevent his fall easily.

The little prince shook his head. 'Not afraid.'

The handsome smile still in place, the strong young man asked, 'Is it because I'm here?'

Vajradandaka nodded.

'Imagine I'm not here. Close your eyes and think of the possibility that I moved away. Now are you afraid?'

Little prince only closed his eyes for two seconds before he screeched and opened them, thinking his brother has moved. The fear made him imbalanced and he almost lost his footing. But he only fell into his brother's arms, which had always been there and never moved.

Carrying him away as though nothing happened, the eldest prince Vajradhaara said mildly, 'Cactus, you're only worried about these things because you are young and you do not realise the colossal existence encircling you, protecting you like your brother's arms. Compared to what our ancestors built for us, compared to our kingdom's foundations, compared to the great Adityas who were timeless and without rival, what thing is this Rudra and the barbarian conspiracy?'

The balcony encircled the highest floor of the main palace. The eldest prince took his little brother on a scenic tour.

'Cactus, when you're afraid, even the antics of little ants seem mysterious. Perhaps they are. God lives everywhere. But in the end, ants are ants. They can't hurt you.

'When I was your age, the Dhija kingdom sent assassins after me. They wanted to affect father-Indra's morale in the battlefield by eliminating his bloodline. At that time, big uncle had just stopped his open attacks on father-Indra, but the underhanded attacks went on as usual. Grandfather had just left on his journey. There was no one in the palace who I could rely on. I felt so small and powerless. If I stood next to a wall, I would think the wall would collapse and kill me. When I saw the soldier's weapons, I would imagine one of them flying at me. I wanted to protect little sisters and mother, so I lived by myself in the White Lotus Palace. That way they won't become targets of assassins along with me. It made things worse at first. I never stayed away from our mother until that time and I was very scared. But despite that, I didn't go back because it was all I could do to protect her. However, leaving the comfort of my mother arms, I came to understand who I was and what this kingdom is. I came to know what I stand for when I gained acknowledgment from my men who respected my decision. If a wall were to fall down on me, a thousand backs will support it so I won't get crushed. If weapons were to fly, soldiers will take it in their chest to protect their king's blood. Because that's what a kingdom is! The king's bloodline will nourish and protect the grand ideology upon which the kingdom is founded, and for that ideology, thousands more will give their lives freely. This is more than a campaign or a mysterious divine sanction little brother. This is generations of wealth and beliefs coming together in the form of land and spirt. I don't know what all is there in those little passages in the Vedas, I'm ashamed to say, but this foundation is not something the barbarians can shake, no matter which intellectual or force is helping them!'

The eldest prince fondled his little brother's head while smiling. 'Besides, even if the barbarians kill their way here, won't your big brother lay down his life before they get to you?' he said softly.

'Big brother!' Vajradandaka clutched his big brother's neck, terrified.

'Alright, calm down,' Vajradhaara patted his back, 'This is the first war our kingdom is fighting since you were born. It's natural that you are afraid. Don't worry about it. Big brother won't let anything happen to you.'

A keen glint passed through the heroic young man's eyes. Holding the child, he looked towards the western horizon, his free arm balled up into a fist. He felt frustrated comforting Little Cactus with mere words when actions would've been more suitable.

If only father let me go to the frontline, I would've slaughtered those invaders and watered the fields with their blood!

His bloodlust seeped into the atmosphere and made his little brother shiver, his small arms tightening as they hugged. Realising what he did, the Yuvaraja handed the child over to a servant and left to discuss war with the council.