#crescent blades

[artbygaia]

Crescent Blades 🌙

@ataleofcrowns

[stalker-among-the-stars]

New selfies.

[strangenoquestion]

Bhandu clasped him on the shoulder as the prince left, his hand clenched on the hilt of the knife on his belt. It jarred him out of his thoughts, which were swirling in confusion, trying to decipher what had just occurred. ‘Good luck, Kunal. I know the prince mentioned attempted murder on your part but if you touch a hair on her head, I will find you. Anyways, I’m more worried about you, cat eyes. Try not to get killed—by her,’ Bhandu said with a grin, the twins looking at him with matching expressions of envy. Arpiya was silent, her head going between Esha and the retreating Harun with an eyebrow quirked. ‘If she hasn’t killed me so far, it’ll be harder than you seem to think,’ Kunal said in response. Bhandu let out a deep-throated laugh, the sound rumbling. ‘That’s because she’s never truly wanted you dead. Make sure it stays that way.’

The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala

[strangenoquestion]

‘I’m feeling much better.’ He couldn’t help his voice softening. ‘I was told that was thanks to you.’ ‘And me,’ Bhandu interjected. Esha rolled her eyes but laughed, a low chortle. ‘We helped too,’ one of the twins chimed in. he reached out a hand to Kunal. ‘Aahal. And this is Farha.’ He pointed to his twin brother. ‘Don’t worry if you get us mixed up, it’ll only devastate us slightly.’ Already, Kunal could see a difference. Aahal had a twinkle in his eye while Farhan looked more serious, considering Kunal with all the friendliness of a prowling panther.

The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala

[strangenoquestion]

‘This is the only time I can show you this move, and if you’re not somewhat decent at it by the end of training, Esha will give us that look.’ Bhandu grimaced. ‘I hate that look.’ ‘It makes my insides churn and feel like jam,’ Arpiya said, her hair bouncing as she shivered visibly.’

The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala

[strangenoquestion]

They were caught by the rain as soon as they got to the base of the other side of the Ghanta Mountains. Silence fell between them, crackling with unspoken words and orders. They had done this so many times—spoken, fought, schemed together—that words weren’t necessary. The monsoon was ingrained in all of their blood, its melody, harmony, and percussion. They rushed through the damp and squelching mud at the base of the path, slipping and sliding through it like snakes. Esha took the lead through the mud and low-hung branches of the tight jungle that lined the path, able to easily scout out any obstacles with her slight frame and quick movements. Harun and Bhandu were safe in the middle, and the twins took up the back, each armed with their matching curved longbows and arrows, nocked and ready. They were like a well-oiled door, working seamlessly at its purpose without ever drawing notice.

The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala

[strangenoquestion]

Bhandu bounded out, Kunal still dangling from his huge arms. 'That was refreshing,' he said, smiling toothily at everyone. His ears were poking out slightly and the faint sheen on his broad forehead had almost frozen in place. He raised his arm to his head and dropped the reins to the gelding with Rakesh, allowing the horse to whinny and rear up, causing Rakesh to fall. 'Oops.' Bhandu stared down at Rakesh, who had landed in a heap, not a whit of remorse on his face. The moment was so painfully typical of Bhandu—so lighthearted amid all the dark she had been in—that Esha burst out laughing. Bhandu beamed at her, though he also looked confused. His eyes darted to her face as he carefully placed Kunal on the ground, before kneeling next to Rakesh and poking him. She couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed—not in mockery, not with a smirk, but out of pure joy. Esha let herself be warmed by the sound and crouched down to help Bhandu drag the soldier to his feet. They had climbed up the mountain, gotten through the clouds, and now all that was left was to descend. Then she would be home.

The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala

[strangenoquestion]

'What happened to pig boy?' Esha asked at the same time. Rakesh seemed to have gathered layers of dirt since they had started their journey. Bhandu snorted. 'Pig boy. I like that. He keeps falling over.' Bhandu glared at Harun's back. 'I wanted to leave him behind. Dead weight. Literally. We are going to kill him, right? After we get information?' Harun shrugged...'Let's see what we can do with him first.' 'And then kill him?' Bhandu was like a cat with a mouse. 'Eventually,' Harun said. Esha watched it all with a faint smile. She had missed them. This was her family.

The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala