‘Hopefully that will be soon enough, My Lord,’ said Bhagirath. ‘If I may now be excused, I’d like to meet up with some people and then head to Kashi for some unfinished tasks.’

Dilipa was about to say something when Bhrigu raised his hand and placed it on Bhagirath’s head. ‘Of course, brave Prince. Go with Lord Ram.’

‘Why did you let him go, My Lord?’ said Dilipa, as soon as Bhagirath had left. ‘We could have arrested him. The interrogation would have surely revealed what happened in Panchavati.’

‘I’m already aware of what happened,’ said Bhrigu. ‘Our ships did reach Panchavati and even managed to kill a large number from amongst their convoy. But they did not kill the main leaders. Shiva is still alive. And our ships were destroyed in the battle.’

‘Even so, we should not allow Bhagirath to leave. Why are we letting one of their main leaders go back unharmed?’

‘I have blessed him with a long life, Your Highness. I’m sure you don’t want me to be proven a liar.’

‘Of course not, My Lord.’

Bhrigu looked at Dilipa and smiled. ‘I know what you are thinking, Your Highness. Trust me, in chess as in war, one sometimes sacrifices a minor piece for the strategic advantage of capturing a more important piece several moves later.’

Dilipa frowned.

‘Let me make myself very clear, Your Highness,’ said Bhrigu. ‘Prince Bhagirath must not be harmed in Ayodhya. I imagine he will leave your city within a day. He should leave safe and sound. I want them to think that we are none the wiser from Bhagirath’s brief visit.’

‘Yes, My Lord.’

‘Provision and ready a fast sailboat. I must leave for Kashi immediately.’

‘Yes, My Lord.’

‘Please have the manifest of my ship state that I am going to Prayag. Bhagirath still has friends in Ayodhya. I don’t want him to know that I’m leaving for Kashi. Is that clear?’

‘Of course, My Lord. I will have Siamantak take care of this immediately.’

Chapter 15

The Magadhan Issue

Shiva, Sati and Gopal had just been led into the guest chambers of Surapadman’s royal palace by Andhak, the Magadhan minister for ports.

Gopal waited for him to leave and then remarked, ‘It’s interesting that we are being housed in Surapadman’s private residence and not King Mahendra’s palace.’

‘Surapadman wants to serve as the exclusive channel of information between us and his father,’ said Sati. ‘Being the sole intermediary also allows him the discretion of passing on things selectively. It actually makes me more hopeful of success.’

‘I am far less hopeful,’ countered Shiva. ‘No doubt it is actually Surapadman’s writ that runs large in Magadh. Besides being the prince, he is also the keeper of the king’s seal. But even he would be wary of his father’s reaction following the killing of Prince Ugrasen. Perhaps that is why he wants to talk to us in private here.’

‘Perhaps,’ said Gopal. ‘Maybe that’s the reason why we were received in Magadh by Andhak and not King Mahendra’s prime minister.’

‘Yes,’ said Shiva. ‘I believe Andhak is loyal to Surapadman.’

‘Let’s hope for the best,’ said Sati.

As Shiva, Sati and Gopal entered the prince’s court, Surapadman rose from his ceremonial chair. He walked up to the Neelkanth and then went down on his knees. Surapadman placed his head on Shiva’s feet. ‘Bless me, great Neelkanth.’

‘Sukhinah bhav,’ said Shiva, placing his hand on Surapadman’s head, blessing him with happiness.

Surapadman looked up at Shiva. ‘I hope by the time this conversation ends, My Lord, you will find it in your heart to bless me with victory along with happiness.’

Shiva smiled and placed his hands on Surapadman’s shoulders as he rose. ‘Please allow me to introduce my companions, Prince Surapadman. This is my wife, Sati.’

Surapadman bowed low towards Sati. She politely returned Surapadman’s greeting.

‘And this is my close friend and the chief of the Vasudevs, Gopal,’ said Shiva.

Surapadman’s hands came together in a respectful Namaste as his eyes widened with surprise. ‘Lord Ram, be merciful!’

‘Pray to him,’ said Gopal, ‘and he will be.’

Surapadman smiled. ‘My apologies, Gopalji. My informants have always assured me that the legendary Vasudevs are for real. But I believed they would not interfere with worldly affairs unless an existential crisis was upon us.’

‘Such a time is upon us, Surapadman,’ said Gopal. ‘And all the true followers of Lord Ram must align themselves with the Neelkanth.’

Surapadman remained silent.

‘Let us make ourselves comfortable, brave Prince of Magadh,’ said Shiva.

Surapadman led them to the centre of the court where ceremonial chairs had been placed in a circle. Gopal noticed there was no official from the royal Magadhan court except for Andhak. Rumours suggesting that Andhak would soon be taking over the command of the Magadhan army were perhaps true. It could also be deduced that the rest of the Magadhan court was not really aligned with the Neelkanth. Considering Magadh’s traditional rivalry with Ayodhya, one would have imagined that they would choose to align with the Neelkanth. But Ugrasen’s murder seemed to have effectively queered the pitch.

‘What can I do for you, My Lord?’ asked Surapadman.

‘I will come straight to the point, Prince Surapadman,’ said Shiva. ‘Your elite intelligence officials would have already briefed you that a war is likely.’

Surapadman nodded silently.

‘Perhaps you would also be aware that Ayodhya has not chosen wisely,’ said Gopal.

‘Yes, I’m aware of that,’ said Surapadman, allowing himself a hint of a smile. ‘But given Ayodhya’s penchant for indecision and confusion, few can be sure about which side they will eventually find themselves on!’

Sati smiled. ‘And what do you intend to do, brave Prince?’

‘My Lady,’ said Surapadman, ‘I am a believer in the legend of the Neelkanth. And the Lord has shown that he is a worthy inheritor of the title of the Mahadev.’

Shiva shifted in his seat awkwardly, still not comfortable with being compared to the great Lord Rudra.

‘Furthermore, Ayodhya is a terrible overlord,’ continued Surapadman. ‘It needs to be challenged in the interests of Swadweep. And only Magadh has the ability to do that.’

‘I can see that only mighty Magadh has the strength to confront Ayodhya,’ said Sati.

‘There you have it,’ said Surapadman, ‘I have given you two good reasons why I should choose to stand with the army of the Neelkanth.’

Shiva, Gopal and Sati remained silent, waiting for the inevitable ‘but’.

‘And yet,’ said Surapadman, ‘circumstances have made my situation a little more complex.’

Turning towards Shiva, Surapadman continued, ‘My Lord, you must already be aware of my dilemma. My brother, Ugrasen, was killed in a Naga terrorist attack and my father is hell-bent on seeking vengeance.’

Keeping the sensitivity of the issue in mind, Shiva spoke softly, ‘Surapadman, I think the incident...’