Everything became chaotic. People started running. I heard screams, not just my own, but a sound that somehow breathed life back into me.
“Help, please!” The remains of my strength struggled once more.
My gaze met a young man’s allure, charging toward me with a sword in his hand. Soldiers clad in red approached, released me, and hauled me down. Their bare hands immediately brushed my burning hair.
“Are you all right?” one of them asked.
My knees faltered as I stepped away from the pyre, falling and breaking into tears. Bending forward, pressing my forehead into the ground, I let it all out.
Behind, a protest surged between the tribe and the soldiers.
“You cannot do this. It is a sin. She must die.”
“Do not do this,”
“Do not free her. It’s a bad omen.”
“She is his wife... Stop!”
I recognised one voice, laced with power and frustration, among all the others.“Have all of you lost your minds?” Pulling me up by the wrist, he put his arm around me.“Suryagarh forbids this.”
The immediate comfort made me lifeless.
A crowd emerged from the trees, wielding sharp blades. He lifted his sword high into the air.
With my tear-filled eyes, I peered at his sweaty face, speckled with dirt, and his wavy hair dancing over his forehead. A faint scar adorned his cheek, and his mere warning was enough to send shivers down my spine.
“Don’t you dare come any closer, you bastards!”
I buried my face in his chest out of fear.“Help, please!” My barely audible voice emerged from within as I heard the people screaming in the distance.
“This is not your Suryagarh, so all of this has nothing to do with you. Put her back on the pyre, or you will all be lying over one by the end of the day.” One of them threatened.
From the corner of my eye, I saw hundreds from our tribe standing strong, advocating the malicious ritual and outnumbering us.
“This woman is from Suryagarh, and this cannot happen to her!” he stood firm on his ground, refusing to step back.
“Leave me. They will kill you, too,” I stammered, clenching my fist on his chest before he looked at me.
“Are you out of your mind?” he shouted, shaking me.
I burst into tears.
What is happening because of me?
People carrying swords and sickles ran toward us. The clash between them and Suryagarh’s soldiers pierced my spine. Smoke, screams, and blood filled the air.
He pulled me backwards and ordered,“You stand here,” gently leaving my hand.
I fell to the ground.
“You must go back, Kunwar-sa2; your wedding is in six months. Please don’t do this for me. I’m just a maid,” I babbled.
He stood before me, hiding me, gripping the sword. I pulled my knees closer to my chest, breaking into sobs.
The swords’clash intensified.
I couldn’t help but watch Kunwar-sa handling a group of tribal sickles with his sword.
