Chapter 39 : 39 Conspiracy
Pinaka was about to fall down the bull and get trampled, but he held on and pulled himself up on to the bull. He managed to secure his hold around his neck, bull snorted angrily, he tried to get Pinaka fall again by running haphazardly.. but Pinaka held on, finally he grabbed the horns of the bull and pulled.. he didn't let go.. slowly the bull sat down.. then Pinaka rubbed Basava's muzzle.. (Basava is the name of the bull),he let out a low grown.. the people cheered on loudly.. he tamed the untamable bull.. the rogue got tackled!
The emperor and empress looked at each other with overwhelming pride.. Samyukta was pretty much impressed.. she never knew that her man would have his way with berserk animals too..
Slowly Pinaka let go off the bull and walked out of the arena.. he reached the place where his parents were sitting.. he greeted them and went to sit with Samyukta..
It was now time for the archery competition, the emperor looked at Samyukta and said, 'dear, I heard that you are a good archer.. can I see your skills today? 'she replied, 'Yes father' and walked towards the arena..
The targets were placed and the contestants were ready, Samyukta took a long bow and a set of arrows and started shooting her target.. her arrow struck the bull's eye right on the center.. she moved to a target which was set at a farther distance and took her shot once again hitting bull's eye, then it was the final target.. many people succeeded in hitting the first two targets but failed to hit the final target.. only two men succeeded, but they couldn't hit right on the bull's eye.. they missed by few inches..
Samyukta hit it right in the center of bull's eye.. her archery skills were just impeccable.. her father in law was very much impressed.. he cheered for her.. he looked at Pinaka and said, 'don't let her go.. she is perfect.. ' and looked at the empress, she too said, 'I already gave her my blessings.. we need to set an auspicious date and conduct their wedding soon.. ' Pinaka smiled.. his heart was singing.. finally he was at a happy space.. his parents.. his love.. he felt that his life is going perfectly..
It was time for sword fighting contest.. Samyukta and Pinaka both participated in this.. both were fighting separate rounds.. everyone hoped to spectaculate a showdown between Pinaka and Samyukta.. who would win.. if they faced each other.. it would be interesting..
Samyukta was fighting with two swords.. as she did earlier during the contest for the throne of the Magadha empire... instead of using one shield and sword as is the general practice,she used two swords..she would be able to attack with a better scope..her style of sword fight was on a strong attack mode.... her foot work was flawless.. her sword moments were swift and sharp.. but the contestant fighting her was no weakling.. he was giving her a tough competition..
But she didnot yieldf... she didn't give him any gap... suddenly the contestant sverved towards her back and managed to graze her back.. this was a fowl.. in sword fight one needs to only attack from the front... going behind the opponent's back and attacking was not allowed.. that too this was not a battle.. no one was allowed to hurt their opponents.. they were supposed to only disarm.. all the spectators stood up.. the emperor and the empress looked displeased..
Pinaka shouted, 'Oi! it's a fowl.. ' and left his fight in between and walked towards Samyukta..he said, 'are you ok?' she looked at him and smiled.. suddenly she puked blood.. she extended her arm towards Pinaka.. she collapsed..