The mastery of the bow

The meeting was in session. The advisor, the senapoti, and the governor & commander of Nisorgo sat with the king while his counterpart was flanked by his advisor and the general. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the king went directly to the point, 'We know Omoraboti (adobe of gods) is in disarray, it troubles us greatly and we are ready to come to your aid'. The king and his advisor flinched at the unsavory facts and the advisor tried to sugarcoat their situation 'True, we are having some troubles...', but before he could finish, Hasi spoke 'Your north-most lands haven't been tilled this season, the brigands are active everywhere north of your capital, you have barely collected any taxes this year, and twice already our troops fought off the brigands' her calm, cold voice was like a teacher rebuking a stupid kid. The advisor lost all nerve to argue and sat in silence. 'What do you propose, O king' the general asked. 'It's pretty simple actually. You don't have enough money to pay the soldiers who would fight the brigands and guard the people and the treasuries. So, we will pay the wages of the soldiers. That will re-energize the remaining soldiers and they will fight the brigands & deserters and protect the people and the treasuries. So, not just tax collection but agriculture and trading will improve too. And that will result in more taxes. We will also send a brigade of our soldiers since you have very few able ones left.'

'Your money,' the advisor was almost salivating in greed, 'you won't claim it back'. 'Of course we will, a charity to a king is an insult to a king' the king replied. 'That's preposterous' the king from Omoraboti shouted, 'We have money to pay the soldiers'. The king gestured in assurance and said calmly 'I understand how difficult it is for you, and we will not trouble you any further'. The general was clearly disappointed with the turn of conversations and he was about to speak out, but the senapoti signaled him to remain calm. Hasi rang a bell and an official entered with a small box, the king gestured him to give that to his counterpart. When he opened the box something glowed even in the subdued light inside the room, the faces of the king and his advisor were also glowing, with greed and joy. 'I understand you have to hurry back to Omoraboti, so, please accept these as a token of our hospitality' the king was coy. 'Where did you get these' the greedy king could barely speak in excitement. Hasi made a dismissive wave, 'They are the payments from the southern king for our rice.' 'You trade with them regularly?' the advisor was shocked. Southern ships don't anchor at the ports of Omoraboti anymore; not only there's little to trade, but their ports and coasts also were not safe either.

'You know, they don't have much land and they depend on us for rice and other commodities' the Chief Advisor sounded casual, 'It's a bit inconvenient for us though, they keep paying us in jewels, ivories, spices, and timber.' The main commodity the southerners sell is ore, but he conveniently kept that out. The greedy king and advisor were bewildered and the general seemed to have figured out what was happening. 'Dear General' the senapoti spoke, 'You can see how much we care for your king. You will send your fastest riders the moment the capital is at risk. I have instructed the commander', he gestured to his subordinate, 'to keep a battalion ready at all times'. It seemed like someone has punched the king and the advisor of Omoraboti in their stomachs. They knew help will not come soon enough if the capital, they were actually thinking about their treasures, was at risk. The general saw his moment and seized it, 'I think the royal guards shouldn't take payment from you, O king. It will be very embarrassing for my king if his own guards take payment from another king. You can see why they have been so reluctant to your generous offer.' The king and the advisor vigorously nodded their heads in agreement. They were left to wine and dine while the general and the king's council finalized the plan. After signing the agreement the guests left for Omoraboti in the afternoon.

'Oh love, I'm so tired and bored' Hasi cuddled with Labonno. The little girl caressed her face and said, 'I will massage your head tonight so that you can sleep well'. Hasi returned the affection with a shower of kisses. 'Sorry dear' she said to Suborna, 'you must have had a boring day'. Suborna smiled brightly. They had wandered around the palace and they even had wandered around the city a bit too. Nisorgo was a much bigger and busier city than the capital. The port was busy during this time of the year, with several ships docking and leaving night and day. A regular stream of ox-carts loaded and unloaded goods at the port warehouses. City markets and workshops were in full gear taking advantage of the dry season after the lull during monsoon. Suborna noticed that most of the tools are made of iron, in Jongol Mohol many common tools were shaped out of wood. Though they were fascinated by the hubbub of the city, both she and Labonno preferred the quietness of the palace. The palace was also the office of the governor, the scroll-room, and the treasury of Nisorgo. The palace was a busy place with lots of activities and lots of people coming & going; yet, it was neither chaotic nor noisy, and everyone went about their businesses in a composed manner.

The next day the king and his entourage visited the garrison. Jongol Mohol didn't have a regular army, neither did they have any forts or barracks; and although Suborna had earlier visited the garrison at the capital, this one was huge by comparison. She was surprised that it housed so many soldiers and yet it was hardly noticeable from the outside. 'Why are those bows so big', she pointed to the longbow-men stationed on the roof. 'These have a maximum range of three hundred yards', the senapoti said, 'with guards on the roof and walls, the enemies will find it difficult to approach the city'. By now the commander has brought a bow and a quiver full of arrows and at the indication of the senapoti, he offered them to Suborna. 'Aim for that tree', the senapoti pointed to a tree at the other end of the garrison. In one smooth motion, she swung the quiver over her shoulder and loaded an arrow in the bow. The senapoti smiled, as if he was expecting such mastery. 'Aim a little higher, the arrow will come down in an arch' he whispered. Suborna took a few moments, then, Twang, the arrow flew, but before the string stopped vibrating the second arrow was already loaded. Twang, flew the second one, and almost immediately, Twang, flew the third one. 'Bravo' the senapoti shouted and clapped, as did everyone else; even from the distance, they could see the arrows have hit the target. Suborna was embarrassed with all the attention and admiration, and she stood with her head bowed. 'A few weeks of practice, and she would be the best bowman of the land' the senapoti said to the king.