But there was no point in taking that chance.
I nocked my arrow and drew my bow. Sparks spat out of the fire and dragged through the air while I took aim, exhaled deeply, and let the arrow loose with a twang that vibrated through my fingertips.
The Porcugi’s good eye widened, but he didn’t have time to react before my arrow plunged deep into his mouth, burying itself in his palate.
He reared back, flapping his hood as he swung side to side, and then collapsed into the sand, face first. The Porcugi pushed himself up with his arms, and I backed away, but he made no attempt to approach me. Instead, he dragged himself through the sand, toward his fallen son. He slowed with every passing moment, and soon the general couldn’t push his own weight any farther. He stretched out his hand, reaching as far as he could, but he was unable to touch his son, no matter how hard he pulled at the air that separated them.
From beneath his hood, I heard a desperate whisper. “Please.”
Their scaled fingers were so close that if I just moved the son’s hand, the general would be able to touch his child one last time. It would only take a few steps?—a few moments of mercy to grant an eternity of peace.
“Please.”
But I did not move. I let them lay there, separated by countless grains of sand as the general’s body began to twitch.
His last exhale was a scream.
Six Moons Later
“Fine, I’ll admit it. You were right.” Parushi stood next to me with her arms crossed, clearly taking no joy in the admission.
I bounced Devi as we stood on the beach and looked out at the port. She’d gotten so big, and it had become hard to hold her for too long because she was always fighting for the chance to crawl. She’d recently discovered the ability and was determined to use it constantly, even if she was still a little clumsy. The port had been restored in the moons since the battle, and the ash from all the pyres had finally washed away, leaving behind bright sand that sparkled in the sun’s light.
“Good of you to admit it,” I said.
My decision to send out boats filled with goods for trade two days after the battle had caused quite a stir. Although the Porcugi’s retreat made us the victors, our soldiers were weary, and the soul of Ullal bore fresh wounds from those we had lost. But I’d insisted that the ships leave immediately. I’d sensed that the Porcugi would be reeling and disorganized after the loss of their general and his son, so we’d loaded up our reserves and dispatched a fleet for trade. About ten days later, we’d sent one more ship?—but theBharavasewas carrying more than just the goods for Ullal; secretly, it carried some hope for Bidanur as well.
Now, the ships had returned?—all of them, including theBharavase. They were coming into port far emptier than when they left, but they were filled with the weight of gold. Just as I had hoped.
Devi grabbed my earring and pulled it, reminding me that I couldn’t predict everything. I gently extricated her surprisingly strong fingers and turned to Parushi after checking to make sure nobody else was listening. “The safe return of theBharavaseshould help lure the raja of Bidanur to our side. I’m sure he’ll want to take action soon.”
“He better, after the risk we took for him,” Parushi grunted. She glanced around warily. Very few people knew of our attempt at an alliance. “Although I’m sure he thinks it’s the least we can do after the death of his brother.”
Nikith’s eldest brother now ruled Bidanur, and the raja hadn’t taken the news of his brother’s death well. I’d lied and said that Nikith had passed due to sudden illness, but that hadn’t satisfied the raja; he was convinced that Nikith’s care had been neglected. My offer to secretly transport and trade some of Bidanur’s goods so the Porcugi didn’t know the true size of their harvest had gone a long way to repairing our relationship.
I took a deep breath. It was time to say what I’d been avoiding for months. “The raja may want to try to attack the Porcugi together and repel them once and for all. Perhaps now it’s time for me to formally name you my general.”
Parushi wouldn’t even look at me. “Not until we know he is gone.”
I sighed. We’d swept the beach more times than I could count, but nobody had found any sign of Thevan or his body. After a few days, we’d sent a prayer to the Spirits on an empty pyre, and I’d cried until I had no tears left as I stood before the flames.
He was gone, and there was no use in pretending otherwise.
“Parushi, I miss him too.” I couldn’t bring myself to say his name. “But we can’t be paralyzed by hope. We both know that even if the raja of Bidanur doesn’t want to launch an attack with us, the Porcugi will reorganize and return with even greater force. Our soldiers must have a leader, and it should be you.”
Parushi looked at me now. “I will not accept.”
Devi went silent at the harshness in her voice.
Parushi tickled Devi’s chin and restored her smile before turning back to the sea’s crashing waves. “I will lead Ullal’s soldiers, and they will follow, even without the title. But if you try to force me to become your general, I will not. I cannot accept it until we know. I trained with him for just as long as you did, and it was he who helped me come to terms with... my lineage.”
My protests died on my lips. I hadn’t realized it was Thevan who had helped her through that.
“Even if I don’t have exactly the same feelings as you,” Parushi said, “that doesn’t mean I feel mine any less.”
I bounced Devi, weighing my options. It was true, the soldiers would follow Parushi even without the title. But she needed to take it.Ineeded her to take it. I needed to close that door so I could stop seeing Thevan’s eyes every time I blinked and stop dreaming of what it might be like if he were still here.
“You know I need you by my side.” My patience snapped as Parushi’s expression didn’t waver. “I will give it six moons. If you don’t accept by then, I’ll name Avinash general.”
