Ira got a nice and warm feeling from this village and its people. Most of the time people surrounded them, they both carried two baskets each and they were loaded with all kinds of eatables.Ira was grinning from ear to ear. She was in a very happy mood and it also affected Shiv.
Shiv gave her a good tour around the village, he also explained all kinds of things along the way. They both enjoyed spending time with each other.
"I have some work to handle here. Why don"t you take this and return to the house?" Shiv called two guys who was on his teens to help Ira with the weight.
Ira pa.s.sed the baskets to the boys. They also took the baskets from Shiv, "I will follow you around for a little while. Anyways I am free and it will probably be boring to return. I don"t mind keep you company for a little while, unless you don"t feel uncomfortable." Ira then asked the boys to take them to the main house.
"Well.... its not that I don"t feel comfortable.... its just that.... it could get dangerous along the way."
"Don"t worry! I can protect myself! In the worst case, I will leave you and run away!" Ira nudged Shiv"s shoulders and laughed naughtily. They continued walking towards the woods.
"I have been wanting to ask, why are you carrying your sword with you? Aren"t we just taking a stroll within the village?" Ira was curious about it all along.
"Well.... its to help me fight a lion, that"s all, there is nothing much to it." Shiv didn"t explain much. Ira was speechless. "That was so savage!"
"Are you for real? Are we going to b.u.mp into a lion now??" Ira couldn"t help but prob.
"Well.... we might..... I am not sure. Anyways we have to go further deep into the woods to find that lion." Shiv spoke in an nonchalant way. "Anyways... here keep it with you." He handed her a short blade, which was around 15 cms long.
Ira was once again speechless... He was being serious!
They both were walking further deep into the forest. The forest never failed to amaze Ira. Its lush greenery, the beautiful chirping of birds, the melodious sound of the leaves that are rustled by the tender wind always amazed her.
"Aren"t we too deep into the woods? Maybe we should return." Ira started to get nervous.
"Yes... But we still can"t find that lion. On the way I will show you the water source that is used by us and I will show you something breathtaking."
"Breathtaking?? Isn"t it already good enough that we haven"t b.u.mped into that lion. If that lion eats me alive I probably will not have any breath to take." Ira pulled Shiv"s hand, "Let"s go and bring some more people to chase it. We can"t do it ourselves!"
"Don"t worry.... we will be just...." before Shiv could finish his sentence a loud roar was heared.
*ROAR! ROAR!* Ira went pale the moment she heard the roar, she immediately snuggled behind Shiv, "Shiv! What is that sound? Did we really b.u.mp into that lion??"
"Calm down! Ira! Look don"t be scared! I am here... don"t worry I will protect you!" Seeing the girls pale face made him a little worried.
Shiv unsheathed his sword and took his fighting stance. Ira was right behind him, she was at her wits end.
Slowly there was a rustle near the bush, in front of them two big and brown figures appeared. It roared at the sight of them.
Now even Shiv was shocked to find two lions. If it was one he can handle it well but now there appeared to be two! This was out of his calculations!
"Ira... You better keep your word! When I say "now" don"t even turn back... just run away!" Shiv commanded Ira with a serious tone. His eyes were sharp. He looked very keen and intense.
One wrong move and they both will end up as these lions dinner!
"Dream on! Sorry but I never meant what I said just now! As if I will leave you and run away! Idiot!" Ira told him off nice and clean. Shiv was stupefied.
"Are you out of your mind Ira! This is no game! One wrong move could actually get us killed. Just listen to me and run away from here!" Shiv shot back at Ira.
"That"s exactly what I mean! I can"t leave you here all alone. Besides it was my idea to follow you along despite of your warning! So I am not leaving you alone!" Ira unsheathed her short blade and took a fighting stance.
Shiv doesn"t know what to say. He just followed her strong and unwavering will!
The lions started attacking them wildly. Those lions looked ferocious and had to intent to kill and eat them both alive or dead. The lions sharp claws sent shivers down her spine.
"Shiv, I am not sure whether I can kill it or not, but I will try to hold on! So don"t take too much time to kill the other lion."
One lion suddenly pounced on Ira, she lost her balance and fell flat on her b.u.t.t. Ira used that short sword to keep the lion"s mouth from biting her. Its breath stunk. It reeked of some unpleasant foul smell, that alone made her almost throw up.
She tried to obtain her rationality. At the look of Ira"s situation, Shiv almost lost him mind. He tried to run to help her. But the other lion didn"t let him to.
It pounded on him and scratched him with its sharp claws. He groaned in pain but didn"t loose to it. He pulled back a little and tried to attack that lion with all he has got.
Shiv charged toward the lion pointing his sharp sword. The ferocious lion once again jump on him with its vile claws.
He avoided the lions claws with his sword and swirled to the side of the lion in an instant and plunge his sword into that lion"s big body, he twisted the sword and pulled it out.
Blood gushed out from the lion"s body. With one last roar the lion fell dead proudly.
Ira who was struggling beneath the other lion, did not have the time to look at the heroic fight of Shiv. She tried her best to overpower the lion, while the lion kept biting on that short blade.
"It"s now or never!" Ira pulled her short blade away from the lion"s mouth a little.
Without anymore hindrance, the lion came at her with a fierce attack.
Ira kicked the lion from below. The kick had a strong impact on the lion, it made the lion even more ferocious.
Looking at this Shiv ran to her help. But before that the ferocious lion, caught a good hold of her left hand with its claws.... And the next moment it fell on top of Ira, without any movement. Blood was all over the ground.
"IRA!! Ira, are you alright?" Shiv threw his sword aside and pushed that big lion off her. Shiv breathed out a big sigh of relief only after seeing the girl alive!
The girl lied flat on her back with her eyes closed. Once the heavy weight of the lion has been pushed off from her she placed her right hand on her forehead. With the back of her hand touching her forehead she spoke, "Haha.... Lucky me! I survived!"
He immediately pulled her close to his chest and hugged her tightly with all his might.