Seconds which he took to cover distance between him and Ritha slipped from his conscious mind to count, yet, most crucial for him. Splashing mixed fallen blood of Aelia and his love, he reached near Rithambara and without failing for a second, he inspected her unconscious body looking for injuries.

　　Removing her saree drapes, he found the source of bloody stream and his breath hitched seeing marred waist. Her skin was sliced open just few inches away from her spinal cord.

　　His face scrunched up imagining the pain his wife had to go through. His eyes misted up but the hour didn’t demand emotions, it demanded sanity with courage.

　　?...