tmp by Shadows of the Sun Dynasty- An Illustrated Series Based on the Ramayana (azw4) (retail) (epub)

Author:Shadows of the Sun Dynasty- An Illustrated Series Based on the Ramayana (azw4) (retail) (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-07-15T00:03:14+00:00

ch a p ter 26

“Come, then,” Kaikeyi said, holding out her hand to her son. She recognized that willpower and didn’t want to discourage it by forcing him to rest. “But you must tell me the moment you feel fatigued. Today I will teach you how to tune your mind to the horse you are riding. Then you will never get thrown again.”

“Father says you are the best rider he has ever seen,” Bharata said.

Kaikeyi smiled. Bharata was a kind boy, always seeking ways to appreciate others.

“It’s true,” she answered. She’d never seen the point of false humility. “And if you listen attentively to me, you can be the second best.”

Rama came riding up with Lakshmana and Shatrugna behind him. Rama had chosen a white steed, probably because it was the type of horse Dasharatha rode. The twins had chosen identical brown horses, no doubt to further confuse others. They still enjoyed that game.

“Bharata sent us to the other side of the field,” Rama said, with a winning smile. “He didn’t want us to see his tears, although he has seen ours so many times.”

Manthara did not smile, but Bharata did, looking sheepish. “I’m fine now,” he said. “Next time, I won’t even get scared.”

“I got frightened even the second time,” Rama warned him, with a serious look. “But you are welcome to beat my record.”

All the boys smiled.

“Finally I can beat you!” Bharata exclaimed, jumping into the air. His left leg faltered when he landed.

“Bharata!” Kaikeyi called out, reaching to steady him. Children ignored their injuries too soon. Bharata straightened and resumed talking, as though he had not just fallen off a horse.

The boys were forever competing. So far, none of them had beaten Rama’s records in any areas, even though Bharata was often a close second. Kaikeyi knew this. As the boys spoke, she watched the way Rama handled his horse with ease. All Rama’s attention was focused on Bharata. He was extremely attuned to all his brothers. Being such a young rider, Rama would need to keep some attention on his horse too. He didn’t. With a thrill of recognition, Kaikeyi understood that Rama had already mastered the horse.

“Well,” Kaikeyi said, interrupting her boys, and raising her eyebrows, “I have ridden over two thousand horses, both trained and wild. And I have only been thrown once.”

They gaped at her with wide eyes. She laughed out loud. She had to boast more often. She enjoyed their unabashed admiration.

“Were you frightened?” Bharata asked.

“No,” she said, though it was only partially true. The act itself had not scared her. But it had produced an unknown realization. The memory surfaced now more forcefully than she expected. To get a moment to herself, she sent the boys to fetch a horse for her and for Bharata. The stable hands had already returned the horse that had thrown the prince.

The one time Kaikeyi had been thrown off her horse, she had been alone on the plains of Kekaya. She had been almost fifteen years old, more dedicated to her horses than anything else.

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