A String Of Pearls

The battlefield was once again in a similar state to the fourteenth day. Bodies had piled up in such high numbers that they had to be dragged off to allow space for the chariots to move at all. Except this time, the bodies belonged in far greater number, to the Pandava Army.

They called Karna the Destroyer that day, said he was akin to the God of Death in rage.

The barest pinprick of hope had lit up in Bhanumati's heart, that she may escape this war with at least a few men she loved.

The Panchalas, Chedis, Prabhadrakas and Srinjayas had been the first victims. And now, the slaughter continued.

Bhanumati thought of how terrible all their thoughts had become when they felt relief and hope and the death of so many innocent people, who despite being on the opposite side, were still people.

Vrishasena was also in rather spectacular form, smashing through the Pandava army like a battering ram, and even taking on Bheem, Nakul and Satyaki all at once. 

She sat with Vrushali Di, who was tightly clutching her hand in a white knuckled grip. Her face was completely pale and even her husband and eldest son's success in the battlefield didn't seem to be bringing her any sort of hope.

At some distance from them, Mata Gandhari sat, tightly clutching her rudraksh beads. Bhanumati still didn't understand why she had suddenly shown up. She was aware that Kakishree Kunti was present in the Pandava camp but Mata Gandhari had decided to stay back with Pitashree Dhitarashtra, given that Sanjay Mahoday had been granted Divya Drishti and would narrate everything to them.

And she had been so desperate to speak with Duryodhan as well. When Bhanumati had further questioned her, she had just muttered something about her 'years of tapasya' and protecting Duryodhan but she could not understand much of it. How would she protect Duryodhan out on that battlefield? All they could do as women was hope and pray to the Gods.

However, the next time news arrived from the battlefield, she was absolutely baffled. It couldn't possibly be real. But apparently it was.

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Finding Yudhishtir before him, Karna could have killed him easily. He pierced him with several arrows, but remembering his promise, he let him go, his final parting words comparing Yudhisthir to a kitten before a lion.

He did not know if his friend could forgive this betrayal, but he was almost certain that the next one would not be forgiven.

For next, he faced the killer of ninety nine Kauravas before him. The man who had killed one of his own sons as well. (The man whose son he had killed too.)

But his vows bound him. 

He did not understand his emotions towards the Pandavas after his newfound knowledge, but this man before him had always insulted him. Had killed even those Kauravas who were innocent. Had even killed Vikarna, who was the only person who had stood up for his wife.

He would not kill him but.... If he were to die anyway, if fate had not allowed him a relationship with his brothers in this life anyway..... he would not shy away from humiliating Vrikodar on the battlefield.

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