Rivannah

Bravery and Battles

" His Majesty's here!" Man Singh cried out, as he heard the familiar sound of the chopper's blades.

They had reached the end of the tunnel, where an old wooden door lay. Its knob had already fallen away and the mechanism was rusty. Man Singh rammed his shoulder forcefully to break it open. He did it twice before Abhimanyu stopped him.

" Let me help, old man." He winked, taking a few steps. He kicked the lower part of the door powerfully. The door creaked and rattled, before giving in with a loud thud.

" Bring Raghav-Kaka now."

He was out under the open sky. The magnificent chopper that belonged to his father landed on the sandy plains , blowing out dust everywhere. His men pulled Raghavendra out of the tunnel and he was safely taken to the chopper.

                                                                            *

" I know it was a huge shock for you Rivannah," Badi – Maharani sa said softly but her voice wasn't empathic or pitying. It was firm and stern as always.

" It doesn't matter. I know who the traitor is!" Rivannah insisted.

Zorawar Bhai had left her next to Badi – Maharani sa, and she claimed that she could find the person colluding with the assassins. Badi – Maharani sa only shook her head once, she did not have the patience or time to deal with Rivannah's trauma , and asked Amba to take her to a safe room to rest.

" I'm not lying!" Rivannah whined, as Amba started to drag her away.

Amba was surprising strong , and Rivannah couldn't struggle enough to escape from her arms. She knew how to find the traitor , why wouldn't they let her?

" Hukum, Badi – Maharani sa is only doing this for your own good. You are a sheltered girl who hasn't seen violence - let alone bloodshed. It will take some time for you to gain your senses." Amba coerced her. Rivannah opened her mouth to argue, but she was interrupted by a cool , elderly voice.

"If she says she can find the traitor , then there's no harm in giving her a chance." A middle aged man stood next to them. Amba narrowed her eyes, recognising him immediately.Although Man Singh was the subordinate of the Crown Prince of Suryagarh, he had no right to criticise her or butt into Badi – Maharani sa 's orders.

Amba harumph-ed loudly and glared at Man Singh.

"Do you have no faith in your abilities?" Amba accused , " It's not Hukum's place to worry about these things. She needs to stay away from this matter. We have many capable people who can find out the mole with whatever means necessary, you do not need to drag Hukum into this."

Man Singh frowned, " Since the princess is insisting, she must have a reason. Can we at least listen to her?" It's not like he had any confidence on Rivannah, but Yuvraj had ordered him to figure out what Rivannah knew. He had emphasised that she must not be undermined at any cost. Man Singh was only following orders.

" I know who is the mole." Rivannah finally struggled free from Amba's grasp.

" Let her speak, Amba ." Man Singh nodded his head encouragingly.

" I' m warning you , Man Singh! Do not drag Her Highness into these muddy waters!" Amba protested  but Rivannah had already escaped her clutches and ran towards the crowd of servants and staff. 

Amba cursed inwardly at Man Singh before rushing behind Rivannah. She pushed aside the sweepers and maids and male-servants, until she reached the thick of the crowd, wondering where the Princess was.