Talwar and Khanda--Assassins in Love

by Barbara G. Tarn

  He was torn as he frowned at his katar. He played with the H-shaped horizontal hand grip which resulted in the blade sitting above his knuckles. The dagger felt like second nature in his hand, but it wasn't a good feeling.

  He checked one more time that the short, wide, triangular blade was sharpened to perfection. He wasn't going to kill such an honorable man from afar with a brass wheel, but his direct thrust – like a punch – would strike quickly and deadly.

  The third young man entered the courtyard and Rajiv stopped toying with his brass wheel. He dropped it in the doorkeeper's hand saying, "Let's go, dimwits!" to both Ajay and their teammate who snorted shamelessly. Maybe not everyone was afraid of Sosan Pattah's breed.

  Ajay had learned to hide his feelings well at the monastery, so he obeyed his cousin without comments. He wasn't going to follow Rajiv's orders, though. His cousin wasn't an elder, so he felt free to do as he thought best. He knew Agharek better than Rajiv anyway.

  They were dressed like noble young men when they exited the Guild's palace, as if they were headed for the market. Embroidered tunics, turbans wrapped around their heads with precious stone pins, bangles and pearl necklaces adorned them.

  Their clean-shaven faces showed their youth and Ajay noticed he was paler than his cousin and the third assassin. Too much time indoors, probably. Which suited the noble youth persona fine. The third young man was less elegant than him and Rajiv, and brown-skinned. He looked more like a servant than a peer.

  Ajay was supposed to identify the target, and he did as soon as they reached the main square, where Lord Anand was talking to a couple of priests outside of a sculpted temple. Not Zindagi's home, but the demon lord Darr the Destructor. How fitting to be killed in front of the temple of death.

  Rajiv put on a show of being the leader of the gang, and the other two played along. Their daggers concealed in their wide sleeves or sashes, the young men approached the nobleman as if they wanted to pay their respects.

  Lord Anand's bodyguards allowed the young men to approach only because they'd recognized Ajay's face. None of them was expecting that a boy trained by the fighting monks of Zindagi could be an assassin.

  The third youth was so nervous that he acted almost paralyzed when close to the target.

  "He's a rural boy from the countryside who has never seen the world," Rajiv said with a shrug. Considering the young man's brown skin, it fitted perfectly. Ajay wondered if the nervousness was fake or real. "But I believe my cousin, here, knows you, my lord," Rajiv added with a bow.

  Damn, he could be charming and submissive when he wanted to! Ajay refrained from rolling his eyes.

  "We were never properly introduced," he said, bowing to grab his hidden dagger.

  He was closer to Lord Anand. He pulled out his weapon and attacked the nobleman who managed to back away from the initial thrust, which became an outward side-slashing instead of a mortal strike at the man's belly. Rajiv managed a reverse thrust, but it was the third assassin's straight thrust that pierced Lord Anand's belly, leaving him dying on the square's paved ground.

  The bodyguards reacted and one of them struck Rajiv in the thigh, making him crumble against Ajay with a grunt of pain. Ajay held his cousin upright with one hand and fought the guards with the other, helped by Rajiv's double-bladed dagger.

  The brawl became general, with other men involved on both sides – trying to capture the killer or to help the assassins get away. Ajay backed away from the fallen nobleman and vanished into the crowd with limping Rajiv who kept cursing under his breath.

  They went back to the Guild's palace and Ajay left his cousin with the resident physician. He went back to the apartment to discover his father had arrived and was waiting for his return.

  "I failed my strike, Father," he muttered unhappily.

  "And that's why we sent three of you," his father replied with a smile, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You completed the mission and you came back alive. Tonight you shall receive your assassin's name. Now get some rest and change your clothes, you're all bloodied on your right side."

  It was Lord Anand's blood – or maybe Rajiv's – and Ajay hadn't noticed it. He used the bath chamber and put on clean clothes before going downstairs to the great hall with his father.

  Unlike the family apartment, he hadn't stepped into the town palace great hall in years, but it was exactly as he remembered it. A rectangular room with high ceilings that had a gallery with multi-lobed arches on the upper floor where the women could look down on the men's assemblies. It was called the Pearls Hall from the quality of the lime plaster used. Mixed with finely crushed shells, it gave the surfaces of the room a pearl-like luster.

  Oil lamps glowed from every alcove and light bounced off the gold filigree ceiling, reflecting the colors of the stained glass windows. A room full of light at all times, unlike the subterranean diwan-i-khas of the fortress. The multi-lobed arches of the gallery were repeated underneath, allowing an open corridor all around the main hall.

  A low dais covered with a silk canopy hosted the Head of the Guild and the four elder members, including Ajay's father. The rest of the men sat around the ample room on plush cushions or the thick carpets that covered the marble floor.

  Ajay noticed the line of young men stopping in front of the dais was much shorter than the dozen that had gone through the initiation rite at the fortress.

  "Where's the other one?" he asked his cousin in a low voice.

  "Shahid? Didn't make it." Rajiv shrugged. "Wasn't meant to be an assassin anyway."

  So that was Shahid? He hadn't recognized him any more than he'd recognized Ashrita! And he understood Rajiv's contempt now – Shahid was indeed a rural boy, since his mother had married outside of the Assassins' Guild. Which still gave him the right to be an assassin, but one of the lower ones, like concubines' offspring who didn't have the same rights as the wives' children.

  Ajay wondered if Shahid had allowed Lord Anand's guards to capture and kill him to save them. Not that Rajiv would ever thank him for it, but Ajay felt sorry for the lost life. Maybe he'd spent too much time with the monks of Zindagi.

  Rajiv still limped from the recent wound and a couple of the others seemed to be paler than usual. Only seven would receive an assassin's name. Worried, he looked up, over the canopy, and saw Khanda at one of the windows with a couple of other young women. Ajay recognized one of his cousins, but not the other maiden. He wondered why Khanda was in the palace, since she wasn't part of the family yet. Or maybe she was?

  "She's beautiful, isn't she?" Rajiv whispered at his side. "Khanda is mine, Ajay, don't even think about it."

  Ajay glared at his cousin and concentrated again on the elders who had finished their consultation. Sosan Pattah looked at them, straightening his back.

  "So, you survived. Some of you failed the mission, some didn't make it, but you're all here to have your assassin's name bestowed on you." His smile was never benign and Rajiv frowned. "I will start with my rebellious second born, then. You shall be called Khopesh from now on. And we can resume the talks for your wedding tomorrow."

  Rajiv bowed but smiled triumphantly. Ajay saw how he glanced possessively up, but Khanda wasn't smiling back. She actually looked away with a snort. Maybe she was supposed to marry him but didn't want to, which gave him a chance, in spite of Rajiv's threat. No, Khopesh's threat. He'd have to learn the new name quickly. A sickle-sword that evolved from battle axes, the blunted edge of the weapon's tip also served as an effective bludgeon, as well as a hook. A very apt name for his cousin.

  "Talwar!" He realized it was his new name, coming from his father's lips. "Will you stop eyeing the young ladies above?" His father sounded scolding, but he was actually smiling. Unlike his elder brother, Jamdhar was always gentle and benevolent – unless one refused to follow his orders, that is.

  "Told you she's mine," Khopesh repeated through clenched teeth, staring straight ahead.

  Talwar bowed at the elders. He paid more attention to the other naming
s, since he had noticed his childhood friend in the line and wanted to know what to call him as soon as he managed to talk to him again.

  Bicchwa, the small, re-curved dagger modeled on the curve of the buffalo horn, from which it was sometimes made. Chura, the single-edged weapon with a perfectly straight back blade. Kilig, the curved sword similar to the talwar. Jambia, the dagger with a curved blade, usually double-edged and often ribbed. Khanjar, another dagger with a differently curved blade and hilts of ivory, jade, crystal or agate...

  "Khanjar," he greeted when the naming was over and the young men were allowed to go and sit with the other men while the servants brought in food and drinks. "It's been years. How have you been?"

  "I'm fine." Khanjar slapped his back with a big grin. "It's good to see you again, Talwar! How was your training with the monks?"

  "It was... interesting." He smiled despite himself. "I wish we could have gone together. Please tell me what the situation is, regarding available maidens of the Guild..."

  "Ah, well, the most beautiful has been claimed, but she doesn't seem to agree!" Khanjar winked. "Your cousin is still a snake, so who can blame her? I will also tell you a secret. I haven't spoken to your father yet, but I'm in love with Sunita. As soon as she earns her assassin's name, I'll ask for her in marriage."

  Talwar was happy to hear his best friend was in love with one of his sisters. "I didn't have time to talk to her or anyone else when I came back to the fortress, and I suspect my parents isolated me on purpose..."

  "Yes, I've heard you weren't so willing to come back and that Jamdhar had to drag you back by pulling your hair." Khanjar chuckled.

  "He didn't really grab me by the hair, but it's close," Talwar grumbled, embarrassed. Jamdhar storming into the Temple of Zindagi to take him home was still a sore spot. The abbot and the monks hadn't stopped him and now Talwar was an assassin, whether he wanted it or not.

  Khanjar shook his head, amused. He gave a list of possible brides, reminding Talwar of times long gone. They shared their food like they'd done during childhood, and then the long training sessions of their early teens where they'd been sparring partners.

  "I'd love to keep up the exercises with you," Talwar said. "We could go to the river shore to practice."

  "It's probably safer if we stick to palace courtyards," Khanjar replied. "Mine is just down the road, beyond the small temple of the Goddess of Fertility."

  "And... Khanda? Where does she stay?" he asked.

  Khanjar chuckled. "Currently? Here. A girl may marry any man she wishes, provided that she doesn't take her parents' property or ornaments... but they're trying to convince her to agree to an arranged marriage with Khopesh, so she can take her ornaments with her. Not that she needs any..."

  "Yes, my dear cousin already told me she belongs to him, but they're not married yet, are they?"

  "Told you, she hasn't agreed yet, and probably never will. I don't know why she's here actually... unless she has her eyes on someone else in the family, that is." Another wink and Talwar looked up at the gallery, but the women had retired to their rooms to eat.

  Maybe he had a chance after all. He remembered that Ashrita had always had a penchant for him during childhood... maybe Khanda had come here in the hope of seeing him again and talking to him and...

  He smiled from ear to ear as Khanjar filled their goblets.

  "To our happiness," the other young man said, raising his drink.

  Talwar eagerly toasted to that.

  ***

  Khanda had watched the naming ceremony from the women's balcony with Sameera and Kareena. Rajiv, now Khopesh, had looked triumphantly at her after whispering something to his cousin, but she wasn't going to marry him. He was so full of himself!

  She'd been happy to hear Ajay's new name, Talwar. She thought it suited him. And he had looked at her so eagerly... he must feel how she felt! She had left as the men celebrated downstairs, barely listening to Sameera and Kareena's chattering. They were excited, but so was she. She needed to find a way to tell Talwar how she felt.

  Her childhood crush was blossoming so quickly it left her dizzy. She was falling in love with Talwar and she wasn't doing anything to stop it. The tomboy in her would stand up to the elders and request the groom of her dreams.

  "Who do you think is the most handsome, Ashrita?" Sameera asked her with an impish smile, still using her birth name.

  "I'm not telling," she replied. "But we won't be sisters-in-law, Sameera, I'm sorry."

  Kareena gaped at her.

  "But your father betrothed you to Rajiv, I mean, Khopesh!"

  "Well, he should have asked my opinion," she replied with a shrug.

  "He didn't ask precisely because he knows how highly opinionated you are," Sameera retorted. "But I don't blame you, Rajiv is..."

  She grimaced and avoided saying what she thought of her brother. Still, she was curious to know who had touched Khanda's heart.

  "Come on, Khanda, tell us! Use his birth name – unless he's not a member of the Guild?" Sameera narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

  "He is a member, but he hasn't been around much, lately," Khanda replied, amused.

  "Which leaves only Ajay and Roshan to choose from. Both were sent off to study elsewhere," Sameera said, thoughtful.

  "One to the monastery of Zindagi and the other to her uncle's Lord of War, yes." Khanda smiled.

  Roshan was Kareena's cousin. And she had just lost her brother to his mission with Ajay and Rajiv. No wonder she hoped to put her hands on Ajay. Talwar.

  Talwar and Khanda. Now, that sounded great! Kareena didn't have an assassin's name yet, and Khanda doubted Jamdhar would give his son a bride whose father wasn't a guild member but a powerful nomad prince.

  "Ajay is so gorgeous!" Kareena said. "My brother sacrificed himself for Ajay and Rajiv, do you think they'd consider me to compensate my family for the loss?"

  "I doubt it." Sameera sighed. "Do you like Rajiv?"

  Kareena blushed. "He's mean," she whispered, eyes low. "He can't take no for an answer." She stared straight at Khanda. "He won't let you turn him down," she warned.

  "He had you." Khanda nodded. It wasn't a question. It was typical of Rajiv to force himself on whoever refused him. "Well, that's why I excelled in my classes," she said proudly. "To be able to say 'no' to people like Rajiv."

  Both young women looked impressed.

  "And if there's anyone who can stand up to my father, it's you, Khanda," Sameera said. Kareena nodded repeatedly, eyes wide.

  Khanda smiled. At least she had diverted their attention from the captain of her heart. Her feathered friends would be the only ones to know until she made sure Talwar returned her feelings.

  4.

  Talwar. He savored the name as he curled up to sleep. Yes, it felt right, although his uncle had probably chosen it to spite him and his father. Talwar was a sword, the curved saber of the fighting monks of Zindagi. The noblemen and warriors usually preferred scimitars, like the one he'd been given after the initiation ceremony.

  The fighting monks' sword name suited him fine. He could protect life and be the sword of Zindagi. And any kind of sword was nobler than an assassin's weapon.

  He could have been named Chakram. The brass wheels were used only by assassins and fighting monks. The brass was beaten into a circular form the size of a small plate, two fingers broad, sharp outside and without edge inside, so it could be worn around the wrists or – the bigger ones – around the neck or over the turban. When thrown, they cut through everything and were often deadlier than arrows.

  Or he could have received a dagger's name like his father, Jamdhar, or Khanjar.

  Khanda was also a sword's name, but then, so was Khopesh. Talwar wondered if the match could be switched between him and his cousin. If he'd marry a woman with a sword's name, or a dagger, or a pole-arm. Khanjar had mentioned a Guisarme who could probably become Talwar's bride.

  Talwar awoke the next morning from dreams of glory, feeling like a sword, but he d
idn't have a purpose yet. He'd better get out of bed and do something about it.

  The following days were spent rekindling his relationships – with his friends, with his father, with the rest of the Guild. He exercised with Khanjar in the courtyard of the palace and went around the city with him, showing him his favorite places.

  Then his father went back to the fortress, leaving him alone while Jamdhar consulted with Gupti to find Talwar a suitable bride. Talwar didn't have time to talk to Khanda, but every time they were in the same room, he could feel her eyes on him and could hardly keep his eyes off her. But they were never alone and Khopesh seemed to guard her fiercely.

  The scarification process ended, leaving him with a fairly tortured torso that didn't hurt anymore. He compared his to Khanjar's the day they went to bathe in the river and did a swimming challenge for a change.

  "Do you think your sister will still want me?" Khanjar asked, worried, laying on the river shore with his legs half submerged after the swim.

  "If she truly loves you, of course she will," Talwar replied, amused. "We often saw our father's scars, so we're used to scarred men."

  "You're right, the scarification is part of our initiation rite. We're not men if we don't have scars."

  "Thank the gods our women are spared the scarification."

  "Indeed. Has your father told you anything about Guisarme?"

  "Apparently her father has already betrothed her, so he's gone back to the fortress to consult with my mother."

  "Ah!" Khanjar chuckled. "So you're all alone in the apartment! Are you seeing any of your old friends?"

  "No. A girl caught my eye three years ago, but we weren't meant to be."

  "Mm. Do you think your father will consider one of my sisters for you?"

  "I don't know, how are they coming along?"

  "They're growing up fine... Anjali is very close to Sunita, much like we were, since they're the same age..."