A String Of Pearls

The Stillness Before the Dawn

She blinked. 

"What do you mean, anything ext--"

"Just promise me."

"Very well." Bhanumati swallowed.

"Thank you, sister." He said, pulling back, smoothing her hair one last time.

"It's time." Duryodhan murmured to Karna.

"You start mobilising the army. I will join you in a while."

Duryodhan's brow furrowed. 

"What are you talking about, you're our Commander in Chief."

"Please, I just. I need a few moments to myself."

Duryodhan nodded, grasping his hand tightly for a moment, before leaving to get the army into their positions.

His sons tried to go to him, but he calmly told them to go take their positions. Vrushali Di hugged him tightly again, but then let him return to their tent.

It was at this moment that a palki carried by Hastinapur Palace soldiers seemingly appeared out of nowhere, to Bhanumati's bewilderment, the sound of their approaching footsteps having been masked by those of the soldiers marching towards the battlefield.

And out stepped Mata Gandhari?!

Bhanumati hurried towards her.

"What is it, Mata? Why are you here right now?"

"I must speak to Duryodhan." She said desperately.

"He--he's already out, leading the soldiers to the battlefield."

"No, I must, I must speak with him right now."

"What happened?! Is Pitashree alright?! Kakashree? Is Lakshmanaa alright?!" 

How was she supposed to call Duryodhan back when he was at centre of the Surya Vyuh that was being formed? If he suddenly left, it would cause chaos.

"Well, they're all alive, thankfully." Mata Gandhari replied, bitterly.

Before Bhanumati could say anything else, Bhrata Karna stepped out of his tent, his enormous Vijaya Dhanush clenched tightly in his hand.

"Mata Gandhari?" He enquired, eyes widening slightly. 

"Karna!" She exclaimed, grabbing hold of his free hand, her eyes wild. "Duryodhan, I need to see him, I--"

"Mata, the vyuh has already started it's formation. We cannot remove it's center-most member." He replied gently.

"You will keep him safe, won't you?! You will make sure he returns alive today?"

"I assure you," He replied in that odd tone of voice that had always made Bhanumati nervous over the past couple of months, "That as long as I am alive, he will stay alive as well. His own shadow may abandon him, but I will not."

He did not promise anything else though, Bhanumati noticed.

"Alas, I cannot give you any assurances of what might happen, should I die."

"But you won't die!" Mata Gandhari exclaimed, speaking exactly what Bhanumati desperately prayed for.

"I am thankful to have your blessings with me, Mata, when I cannot have Radha Maa here today."

And then gently extricating his hand from her grip and holding a trembling Vrushali Di--who did not seem to want to let go of him-- close one last time, he was off, to take his place at the forefront of the Surya Vyuh.

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Lord Forgive my terrible skills at coming up with titles lmaooo. Well, the whole of 17th day was supposed to be one chapter, but this is already 2000 words so well.... Don't worry I won't disappear for several months before uploading the next part. I'm not so cruel.

One thing that's been bothering me is that.... since I've not touched this fic for a while, am I getting the characterisation right? Lemme know if something truly feels off(except what needs to feel off for the story) and I'll try to change it. 

Guys, Guys I've forgotten how to write Duryodhan OMG. HOW do I write Duryodhan?!

Also, uhh... I have genuinely forgotten how many Kaurava kids were left in previous chaps and can't find anything anymore ugh? I hope I'm not messing up the numbers! If you guys notice, please let me know!

But... if you liked it, don't forget to leave comments and votes! <3