The Witch Bone

He followed his father to the training ground and to his amazement he saw someone whom he had never expected to see. This person was lazily reclining on a seat that seemed to have been brought by his page. The page was standing behind him with a silk umbrella. And there were also some people who were sitting beside him who were clearly from his kingdom.

It was Ayush, the second prince of the Surya Kingdom. He had brought his hair into a top bun tied with a string of rubies. He was not wearing any robes but he was bare-c.h.e.s.ted and was wearing purple dhoti**. And a smile was playing on his lips.

On seeing the arrival of Lord Bai Yur and Bai Hua, he stood up gracefully.

"Second Prince of Surya Kingdom, I have brought my son here to duel with you as you requested. Give me an exciting fight. That's all I am asking, I don't need gifts as you have promised."

Some ladies had appeared out of nowhere as if they had smelt raw men in the vicinity. They were royal cousins and other nobilities who hung about the palace. And slowly as if words had been spread, that the enigmatic young Lord Bai Hua was dueling with the charismatic prince of Surya Kingdom, more people started popping up. There were also some young men in the crowd who had formed the spectators.

Some people who were not present at the celebration a few days ago were looking at Ayush as if he was a fine specimen of a man. While some ladies were enjoying the display of his lean and strong c.h.e.s.t.

If anyone looked at these ladies they would have seen that every one of them had a longing look in their eyes. They wanted to stroke his c.h.e.s.t. It was as plain as daylight.

Bai Hua became reluctant after seeing Ayush and the spectators that had appeared out of nowhere.

It was not that he was not confident but he did not like the fact he had to show himself and parade like a monkey in a circus two times this week! Of course, he wanted to fight Ayush, he wanted to test his skills against an unknown opponent but not in the open like this!

But in front of everyone, he was helpless, "Greetings, Second Prince of Surya Kingdom."

Ayush gave a quick nod as a sign of acknowledgment to his greetings.

Lord Bai Yur declared, "The fight stops when only the other fighter concedes defeat or is thrown out of the battle stage."

Ayush spoke up unhesitantly, "Agreed."

Bai Hua silently cursed his father for this arrangement. What was he planning to do? Humiliate his own son in his own kingdom? He will never find out what his father thought. Does not having a wife makes a man eccentric?

Bai Hua suddenly thought something else, "What about the judges?"

Ayush offered, "I have a noble who accompanied me to your kingdom. Let him be one of the judges. Our Surya Kingdom does not endorse any form of unfairness. Anyone of your people here can take place of the other judge."

Lord Bai Hua replied, "We don't need judges here but yes, everyone here will be a witness. And I believe in your words. We don't endorse unfairness as well. But since you requested for the fight I will let the noble from your country be the arbitrator on the battle stage."

There were seats on the gallery of the training ground and Bai Yur left to take a seat. The noble from Surya had flown up to the stage, followed by Bai Hua and Ayush.

The nobleman said, "Are you both ready, his highness, Ayush and Young Lord, Bai Hua?"

Both of them nodded their heads. They did not speak. Their blood had started to rush the moment they had stepped onto the stage.

Satisfied with that, he declared, "Let the match begin," and flew off from the stage.

They did not make any movements. Everyone had become quiet. This was a battle they were never going to witness in their life again. It was after all their Young Lord Bai Hua they were talking about! And of course the foreigner from the Surya Kingdom. This was a major development!

Suddenly Ayush made a movement with his right hand and instantly a double-edged sword appeared in his hand. The sword and his eyes both had a bloodthirsty gleam that only Bai Hua could feel.

Seeing this, Bai Hua also took a battle stance and his anklets disappeared and reappeared in his hands as a sleek ivory blade. He had become used to this. His sword and he had become synchronized after his duel with Wana. It did not glint in the sun but it was cool to hold the hilt of the blade. His plain emerald robes fluttered on the stage. He looked like a young mortal who was about to take on a dangerous beast. His eyes were focused and there was another emotion that was slowly surfacing: FUN. He was about to have fun.

dhoti** - worn by men, a cloth wrapped around their waists and knotted at the back.