Adhirath led the horse into the cozy shelter of the stable. With careful attention, he secured the reins, ensuring the horse was comfortably tethered in place, allowing it to rest and rejuvenate after the journey.

Within the dim confines of the stable, the horse stood, its chestnut coat a muted sheen amidst the subdued light. Muscles subtly flexed beneath its sleek exterior, an indication of its remarkable strength and vitality. Despite the tranquil surroundings, its eyes held a glint of untamed spirit, hinting at a deeper, unspoken intensity.

This was Lord Bhīshma’s horse, given to Adhirath so that he could reach home quickly.

He immediately started walking to his home.

In the path though, he was stopped by a grandma Shānti.

“So, you’re back home. Huh, Adhirath?”

“Yes, Grandma. I arrived just now.”

“Good, good.”

Only her name was Shānti (Peace / quiet), but she wasn’t. Quite an ironic name. Once she started, she wouldn’t stop.

Thinking that grandma wouldn’t stop talking soon, he said, “Yes, I thought I should check up on Rādhā while I had the chance.

“Can’t believe you made Rādhā pregnant right after she had delivered one kid. You got no patience.”

These words from grandma were too blunt.

“Ha-ha!” Adhirath tried to laugh it off.

“Well, that’s what Rādhey is saying. Look at the new generation. Speaking against their own father.” Grandma started grumbling again.

Adhirath on the other hand was surprised that those words were from originally Vāsusen.

As a father, it worried him.

“Don’t worry,” grandma Shānti consoled Adhirath, “So what if he badmouths you? He at least listens to his mother.”

“U-uh, yeah, he sure loves his mother. Not sure if love me though.”

“If you want him to love you, why are you wasting your time with him? Go! Go home. Go.” Grandma shooed him away.

‘Wow, she’s the one saying that? Better not waste the opportunity.’

***

Campā was a town ruled by the suta. A majority of them work as charioteers.

That’s why this town is also used to breed and train horses.

As part of his daily routine, a suta took the horses out for their regular training.

"Hm! I didn't see this horse yesterday," he remarked, noticing a magnificent chestnut-colored horse. It appeared to be resting peacefully.

"Wow! What a remarkable horse. I can't wait to ride it," he exclaimed, admiring the horse's evident quality and demeanor.

Taking the reins, he led the horse out with the others.

To his surprise, the surrounding horses voluntarily cleared a path, seemingly acknowledging the chestnut's dominating presence.

The notion struck him – riding this horse would undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on others. With that in mind, he attempted to mount the horse.

Thus, the chaos ensued…

***

As Adhirath stepped into the house, he caught sight of his wife Rādhā, tenderly breastfeeding their child.

The news of Rādhā being pregnant again was a pleasant surprise, but they would have to wait for many months before they could meet their new family member.

Following the naming ceremony, they decided on the name Śatruñjaya for their newborn. It held the meaning of "the one who defeats enemies."

As a suta, proficiency in weaponry is crucial, anticipating the possibility of engaging in battle.

"Back home already? How was the journey?" inquired Rādhā.

"Haa! Thanks to the river Gañgā for providing this elixir," Adhirath scooped some water from the earthen pot and drank it before responding. "The journey was smooth. Lord Bhīshma permitted me to use his new horse, so I arrived earlier."

"Lord Bhīshma is very considerate of his subordinates. I doubt anyone else would lend you their horse. It would have been remarkable if he were our king."

Adhirath nodded, comprehending the sentiment.

"Indeed, but you're aware of his vow. He'll never ascend the throne. Moreover, there's a specific reason why he permitted me to use his horse this time," Adhirath added with a playful grin.

Rādhā regarded him with a curious gaze. "What? Tell me," she said, her tone almost commanding rather than inquiring.

"Well, remember when I mentioned going to Gāndhār with Lord Bhīshma before Śatruñjaya was born?" Adhirath began.

"Hmm... Ah, yes, about Princess Gāndhāri, right?" she recollected.

"Yes, precisely. Princess Gāndhāri will soon arrive in Hastināpur for the wedding. Lord Bhīshma wants me to be there. That's why he provided his horse, to shorten the travel time," Adhirath explained.

“Ah, that’s it. He just wants you back at work sooner. Why are you gloating? You are no special,” Rādhā playfully teased her husband.

Rādhā stood up and carried Śatruñjaya to the cradle made up of cloth. They weren’t royalty, so they made do with what they had.

“What do you mean, I’m no special?” Adhirath's suta pride bristled at her remark. “I am charioteer of Lord Bhīshma, after all. Let me tell you, this horse is no easy horse. Nobody had managed to tame it. But Lord Bhīshma is an exception, of course. It is a very proud horse. It took me a few days before it started friendly to me. It would be a big trouble if some unknown guy tried to ride it, let me tell ya.”

Preferring not to prolong the argument, Rādhā changed the subject.

"Talking about the horse, remember to take Vāsu to see it. He's fascinated by Lord Bhīshma, especially after hearing stories from his teacher," she suggested.

"Ah, seems like he's got plenty of time for stories now. It appears he's doing well," Adhirath commented.

Children typically commence their studies around the age of 6, although some may begin earlier or a bit later. Vāsusen seemed to be an eager early learner.

“Horse won’t attack him though, right?” a mother's concern immediately surfaced.

“Don’t worry, the horse is harmless as a cow as long as someone doesn’t try to ride it. But I've only seen Lord Bhīshma able to easily calm it once it gets spooked," Adhirath reassured.

If there was a third party present, one might comment that the last line was unnecessary.

Śatruñjaya, who was on the verge of falling asleep, began crying due to the clamor outside. A commotion had erupted.

As Rādhā endeavored to soothe the baby, Adhirath instructed her, "You stay here in the house. I'll go check it out."

***

"Get out of the way! Move! Move!” a man shouted loudly as he hurried behind the horse in an odd manner.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Evidently, the horse had thrown him to the ground with such force that he had injured his seating cushion, impairing his ability to walk and sit comfortably for some time.

However, a more pressing concern was unfolding.

“Somebody stop this horse!"

Witnessing the horse's agitation, other sutas rushed in to assist.

However, these efforts seemed to exacerbate the chaos rather than quell it. Despite their attempts to pacify the animal, their endeavors were futile.

Several individuals endeavored to mount the horse, aiming to assert control. "Easy now, easy," they uttered in a bid to calm it.

Yet, with each rebellious neigh, the horse vehemently threw them to the ground, thwarting their efforts at control.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts, their approach turned increasingly forceful in trying to subdue the horse.

Reacting swiftly, the horse leaped over them, breaking free from their encirclement. It reared up, emitting a piercing neigh that reverberated across the ranch.

Suddenly, it bolted forward, leaping over the wooden fence and charging toward the town.

Fortunately, it veered away from the main settlement.

The sutas gave chase, some on foot while others mounted on different horses, but the horse had already covered considerable ground.

As the horse thundered down the path, those in its trajectory swiftly leaped aside to avoid collision. Following a momentary shock, a few individuals hurried to the town, alerting others and seeking out the town's leaders.

Blinded by fear or panic, the horse continued its sprint, hurtling directly toward the forest.

"The horse seems to be heading out of town. That's a relief. Fewer people there," remarked one of the horse riders.

"Hey, look. Isn't that where the kids usually play?" exclaimed another, pointing in the direction the horse was headed.

"What? Quick, we need to hurry," urged another, sensing the potential danger to the children's play area.

…

Near the edge of the forest, a group of children played beneath the sprawling branches of a Banyan tree.

It seemed many were trying to hit stones to a boy who had climbed to the very top.

ne of the children spotted the imposing horse charging their way and let out a piercing scream, alerting the others.

Startled, most of the frightened kids swiftly began scaling the trees for safety. However, there were younger ones among them who lacked the skill to climb. Frozen in place, many of these youngsters erupted into tears.

Witnessing the perilous situation, the boy perched atop the tallest tree leaped down several branches. Timely and daring, just as the horse was on the verge of reaching the kids, he descended upon the horse, seizing the reins and steering it away. His quick actions narrowly averted disaster for the other children.

Yet, a new challenge emerged. The horse, agitated and unruly, began to buck wildly, attempting to dislodge him from its back.

Entwining his legs around the horse's neck to maintain his grip inadvertently fueled the horse's fervent resistance.

Concerned that the horse's agitation might endanger the children on the ground, the boy made a swift decision. He reasoned it would be prudent to lead the horse toward the safety of the forest before attempting to manage its behavior.

Evidently, the horse would let up whenever it faced the bright sun. Recognizing the opportunity, the boy adeptly steered the horse toward the forest during these brief moments of calm.

Driven by overwhelming emotions, the horse sprinted aimlessly through the forest's depths before coming to an abrupt halt amidst the shadowy embrace of the trees.

Caught off guard, the boy was flung into the air, tumbling to the ground. As he rose to his feet, he discovered the horse peering back at him through the dimness.

As he regained his footing, the boy noticed the horse fixated on him.

Clad in golden armor adorned with intricately carved earrings that radiated a divine gleam, Vāsusen's appearance captivated the horse's attention.

With a gaze akin to an arrow made of soft cotton, Vāsusen locked eyes with the horse. His stare carried a calming sensation that seemed to permeate the air.

“Easy now, Friend.” Vāsu spoke in a gentle yet commanding, mature voice.

Horse seemed to be enchanted by his appearance.

Vāsusen maintained a reassuring presence, speaking in soft tones that seemed to reach the very core of the horse's soul.

With each measured step, Vāsusen inched closer, exuding an aura of understanding and empathy. The horse's movements grew less erratic, its wild eyes gradually softening as it began to respond to Vāsusen's calming influence.

Finally, with a moment that felt suspended in time, Vāsusen extended a hand toward the horse. The majestic creature hesitated for a heartbeat before nuzzling against Vāsusen's palm, a silent acknowledgment of trust forged in the midst of chaos.

…

Meanwhile, the other sutas riding horses had nearly caught up just before the horse bolted into the forest. Observing the situation had diffused, they slowed their pace.

"Is everyone alright?" inquired one of the riders.

"YEEESssss!" chorused the children in response.

"But Rādhey isn't. He rode the horse into the forest when it was going to hit me," a young girl with teary eyes explained.

"Rādhey? You mean Vāsusen?" questioned one of the riders.

The young girl— Vṛśalī — nodded affirmatively.

“You there, go and inform Rādhā ji. See if Adhirath is the-”

“I’m here, alright. What is going on?” Adhirath interrupted.

Upon stepping out of the house and hearing the situation, Adhirath had a hunch that this horse belonged to Lord Bhīshma. That realization had propelled him to reach the scene as swiftly as possible.

The suta explained the whole situation to Adhirath.

“WHAT?? Lord Bhīshma’s horse went wild and ran into forest? And Vāsu was riding it?”

“It was Lord Bhīshma’s horse? No wonder…”

Adhirath was furious that situation had developed so much in a few moment he went to the house. He decided not to wait and was about to go into forest himself when…

“Look! Vāsu is back!”

There he was. Vāsusen emerged from the forest, riding the horse, stunning everyone present, especially Adhirath.

The horse that had taken him a week to gain control over.

The horse that gave suta run for their gold coins.

The horse that asserted dominance over all others.

The horse that no one but Lord Bhīshma was able to tame.

Vāsu was effortlessly riding it, clad in his golden armor and adorned with divine earrings, embodying the aura of a true royal prince.