"We must retreat!" Lord Laxman Raguvanshy commanded as he carried his injured brother back to the encampments.

"My Lord!" Sita cried at husbands bloodied, unconscious state. A daggar was plunged deep between is ribs. "How could this happen?"

"The Golden Stag. He evaded captured, yet again. Healer!"

Sita reached for her urumi  instinctively, clenching the absent hilt in fury. Where her husband lay unconscious, she saw glimpses of another, a similar gold dagger in their heart. Lord Ram's skin was beginning to turn blue despite the healers tending to him. Just like before.

"It's a common poison, my Lady. I can administer the antidote but he will take time to recover. His grace cannot continue to fight. "

The vaidya yanked the dagger out of Ram's side in one swift motion. That there was a deafening scream of pain was a good sign, by her account. 

"There's no damange to the organs." The healer pronounced. There was a collective sigh of releif in the  shelter.

Sita accepted the dagger from the vaidya, who resumed tending to the wound. She recognised the ornate carvings. 

"Its a message." She said to Laxman. The Golden Deer was back, taunting her, baiting her to finish the job after fifteen years.

"Its a war. Sister, please do not- "

 A battle worn soldier stumbled through the flaps of the tent, and collapsed at Laxman's feet.

"My Lord, the northern front is gone." The nameless soldier informed between pants. "The Asur King's chariot took to the skies. He slew the gajaadhyakshas. Elephants are rampaging in greif. Many of our own men were trampled."

"Any survivors?" Sita asked urgently.

"All the padatin were taken as prisoners once the padyaadhyaksha was killed. I was spared to deliver the message." 

"Atleast he spared the infantry. Can we negotiate for them, Dada?"

"Our defensive lines are falling back, my lady." General Jatayu said, rearranging the pawns on his map of the battle field. "We have an hour at best before we are overrun. I doubt negotiations will be entertained. ",  He speculated looking at the map of the battlefield, his tone laced with the gravity of their circumstances. More than half the pawns in white were gone. "Retreat is out only option. My rearguard and I will substitute the front. I am confident we can buy you another hour, maybe two. The Raakshas army will not be able to catch up with that lead. Not on land."

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Sita glanced at the elderly general. His battalion, like him, were older veterans of countless battles. This one, their bloodiest yet, would surely be their last. They would not be alone.

"Your sacrifice will be remembered, general." Sita professed, as the grey haired man bowed in her direction.

"It is every Kshatriya's duty to die on the battlefield, my lady. But it is this Kshatriya's honor to die in the name of his Lord."

"Let us send your sons and daughters home. I will lead the charge with you."

"My lady, I must protest. "

"Just like you said, Jata-dada. It is this Kshatriya's honor to die in the name of her Lord."

"Sister if this is about vengeance for - "

Sita held a hand to her brother-in-law's protests. She had already made up her mind the moment she heard who was waiting for her on the battle field.

"Mareech is the only one who can catch up to you once they see us retreating. He already took one member of my family, I will not let him take another."

Sita knew that he could not deny the truth in her words. Mareech, the son of the great demoness Tataka, who's blood was blessed by Brahma himself could shape-shift into any form he pleased. His most powerful form was stag with large shining antlers that could impale the strongest of foes, a glowing pelt that repelled all weapons and powerful legs faster than any steed. No one was safe as long as the Golden Stag remained alive, not this far from the Laxman Line.

"If the laws of dharma yuddha are followed, our defeat will be accepted, before too many lives are lost.  We have given offence. Now me must fight for atonement."

"I have given offence. Let me atone. Let me go in your stead, please. " Laxman pleaded, his head bowed in guilt and shame. 

Sita held his shoulder.

"We are all to blame here, brother, we all have cause to avenge or atone. This war was destined to be faught. You were but the feather the tipped the scale."

"You forgive my sins too easily."

"And you forget mine. There is no time to lament. I will beg aid from my sister. Laxman, oversee the retreat. Do not let my husband die." 

Sita and Laxman conferred with the general, the strategist, the arms-mistress and the beast-master. In minutes the tent was bustling with activity. The soldiers, mothers and fathers were arming themselves, fresh horses were being prepared and orders were being thrown in every direction. As Sita wrapped her urumi around her waist, one word had her undone.

"No."

The vaidya gasped and every eye was suddenly on her patient.

"You can't....You can't leave me." The faint whisper silenced the tent.

Lord Ram was awake.

Sita flew to him and knelt at his side. Her other half was seeking her.

"Don't leave me." Ram spoke through blue lips, delirious. The poison coursed through his body, leaving him weak and turning his skin the color of storm clouds. He tried to raise his hand and failed, but Sita caught it anyways.

"Rest, my love. Rest, regain your strength, rebuild our armies." Sita insisted, smiling despite her welling eyes. This could very well be the last they beheld eachother.

"Not without you...not without....you are....everything." Ram choked, struggling to get the words out.

Not caring who watched, Sita rested her forehead on his. It was cold. Too cold. The tears that betrayed her fell on Ram's cheek. They were as much his as her own.

"Let me save you this time, husband, you can save me the next."

Ram's breath came shorter as he struggled to remain conscious, but he didn't let go of his beloved.

"I will come for you. I promise."

"I will be waiting."

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urumi - a kind of bendy sword

vaidya - doctor

Kshatriya - warrior

gajaadhyaksha - leader of the elephant riders

patadin - footsoldiers

padaadhyaksha - lead of the infantry

Dharma Yuddha - War of Duty/Justice bound by the laws of honor