Author's Note:
The inspiration for this story came from the story of Drupada and Drona from the Mahabharata. Drupada and Drona are two friends who grew up together while living with a brahmin. Drupada is a prince who ends up returning to his kingdom while Drona is a brahmin who ends up teaching a group of princes in another kingdom. In the original story, Drupada scorns Drona and turns him away saying they are not friends and so Drona wants revenge.
I liked the idea of writing about two close friends who end up separated because of their situation or status, and so this story came about. Then I wasn't sure which ending I wanted so I wrote both and followed the reader's choice style except that the readers are not choosing an action a character takes but which ending they want to see.

Bibliography: Mahabharata by Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.

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Abhaji felt no pulse. His dear friend and cousin was dead! No one knows how long the king knelt at Zhanni's side but it was Ramishi who found him there. The king blamed himself for his cousin's death but Ramishi noticed this and shook him out of his stupor. The royal guard declared the king was acting like an idiot and reminded him that he still has a kingdom to protect. It was Zhanni's choice to fight and defend the kingdom and Ramishi told the king this. He also told Abhaji that to wallow in grief would be a disservice to Zhanni's memory.

In response to this Abhaji stood up, bowed to his friend's body, and went to ensure the injured were cared for and the dead were buried. He decided to honor Zhanni and would do so by becoming the best king for his kingdom and continuing to protect his people. Once his people were cared for, Abhaji held a celebration for successfully defending the kingdom. Even if he could not feel the same joy, he knew his people deserved to celebrate.

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Abhaji felt a pulse, his friend was alive! Zhanni was injured but the majority of the blood was that of his enemies. Letting Zhanni rest, Abhaji leaves to ensure the injured are well cared for. Along the way, he hears the troops speak of Zhanni and how he had placed himself in danger to help others. An idea started to form in Abhaji's mind at that moment and he came up with a plan.

Once the injured were cared for and the dead were buried, the king found Zhanni to tell him of his plan. Then, when all the injured were recovered, Abhaji gathered his people in celebration. At the end of the celebration, he announced a reward to be given to a valiant warrior who was willing to place himself in harm's way to protect others. He announced Zhanni as the next royal guard to be trained under Ramishi. Zhanni was stunned and happy and couldn't help smiling at his friend. And the king smiled back with no hesitation, after all there's no harm in the people seeing their king glad after the kingdom was successfully defended.

Click here to go to the author's note.