Chapter 2: A Mysterious Portal

The forest was eerily silent, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Nandini’s heart pounded as she stared at the group of armed soldiers in front of her.

The man leading them—a tall warrior with a chiselled jaw and piercing black eyes—sat atop a magnificent black stallion. His sword was drawn, the blade glinting under the sun.

“You there!” he repeated, his voice sharp. “Who are you?”

Nandini swallowed hard, her mind racing. She had no idea how to explain herself. How could she tell them she was from the future?

The soldiers whispered among themselves, their eyes scanning her modern clothes.

"Her attire is strange," one of them muttered. "No woman dresses like this!"

"She could be a spy from a foreign land," another said.

The warrior’s grip tightened on his sword. “Speak!”

Nandini took a deep breath. She had to say something—fast.

“I… I am a traveller,” she said, carefully choosing her words. “I got lost in the forest.”

The soldiers exchanged doubtful glances. The leader studied her, his brows furrowed.

"You are lying. Your appearance is unlike anything we have seen," he said coldly. His gaze flickered to the golden pendant clutched in her palm. His expression changed for a brief second, but he quickly masked it.

He turned to his men. “Bind her hands. We will take her to the king.”

Panic surged through Nandini. The king? She had no idea who ruled this land or what kind of man he was. Would he see her as an enemy? A threat?

"Wait!" she protested as two soldiers grabbed her arms and tied them behind her back. The rough rope burned against her skin, but she knew struggling would only make things worse.

She was lifted onto a horse behind one of the soldiers, her heartbeat erratic.

The leader turned his horse around. "We ride to the palace!"

With that, the group galloped through the dense forest.

A World from the Past

As they rode, Nandini took in her surroundings, her historian’s mind racing.

The landscape was untouched—pristine rivers, sprawling fields, and thick jungles stretched as far as the eye could see. She realized with awe that she was seeing ancient India in its full glory.

No modern roads. No tall buildings. No honking cars.

This was history—alive and breathing.

She had studied ancient Indian civilizations, but nothing could have prepared her for experiencing it firsthand.

The kingdom walls soon appeared in the distance—massive stone fortifications surrounding a grand city. As they rode through the main gates, Nandini's eyes widened in astonishment.

The streets were bustling with people. Merchants sold silk and spices, women in traditional sarees carried clay pots, and soldiers patrolled the roads. The air smelled of fresh flowers and burning incense.

It was like stepping into a history book.

But she had little time to marvel. The soldiers led her through the grand palace gates, where towering stone pillars and intricate carvings adorned the halls.

At last, they stopped before a massive throne room.

The leader dismounted and pulled her down roughly. “You will speak only when asked,” he warned.

Nandini took a deep breath.

She was about to meet the king of this era.

Her fate now rested in his hands.

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