A String Of Pearls

The Stillness Before the Dawn

The Madra Raj was surprised but agreed. However, in his mind still remained the request from the Dharmaraj. To lower the spirits of the Kaurava army in battle as much as he could. So, while the flattery might make him agree, he presented the condition that he would be allowed to speak his mind throughout the battle, no matter whether or not that Sutaputra liked it.

The King of Anga was not very happy, but he agreed on account of getting a superior charioteer.

The Surya Formation was agreed on for their army on the 17th Day. It was said to represent the clarity of vision in battle and perhaps it represented the mind of the Kaurava Army's Commander in Chief as well. Or it could have represented him bringing forth the Sun's rage on the battlefield.

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After the planning for the next day had been done, Bhrata Karna insisted on all of them being together in the same tent again.

However, the wild look in his eyes from before had been replaced by a strange sort of peace. He looked calm and serene in a way that made her uneasy. He should not have been looking so tranquil, not when he had lost seven of his nine sons, not when ninety nine of the Kauravas were dead, when so few of the children were left, not when most of their generals were dead.

His earlier behaviour while unsettling, had still been more understandable. Now, it was just unnerving.

There was no sleep in Bhanumati's eyes as she sat leaning against Duryodhan, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. In fact, the only ones who had managed to doze off for a few moments were Vrishasena and Vrishaketu, on their Mother and Father's laps respectively.

Duryodhan beside her, was just completely muted. Losing all his brothers... it was unfathomable. Losing her brother had destroyed her. And he had lost every single one of his. She didn't think the losses had still completely settled in for any of them. It would be after the war, however it ended..... when they would realise that they could no longer spend time with any of them, speak to any of them.....

She did not want to think about any of it, still.

Bhrata Karna tried to draw Duryodhan out into soft conversation and succeeded to an extent, as only he ever could. But Vrushali Di interrupted in sudden, frantic whispers, meant just for her husband's ears, also so very unlike herself and it seemed that he had no words to reassure or comfort her. Even though Bhrata Karna continued to look pensive, Vrushali Di only grew more agitated and that didn't do anything for Bhanumati's nerves either.

Suddenly, a wave of fear and anxiety swept over her as realised that Bhrata Karna was starting to remind her of Pitamaha Bheeshma before the tenth day of battle and that certainly did not bode well for them. 

She felt flushed with heat but did not draw away from Duryodhan, not knowing how much longer she could experience being held by him. She knew she shouldn't feel this way, she knew, but.... How could she not? The terror was overpowering. How could she not fear the Pandavas using treachery once again, in order to kill their Commander in Chief? It had been proven that despite their claim of Dharma, they did not consider themselves held back by the rules of War, whereas Bhrata Karna had been adamant that under his tenure as Commander in Chief, not a single rule of the battlefield would be broken by the remaining Kaurava Army.

And if he fell... if he fell, it was all over, her Duryodhan too would... No-- No, she couldn't think of that, she couldn't!

She buried her face into Duryodhan's shoulder. Looking at Bhrata Karna like this terrified her.