Clearly the king did not know much about sailing.

‘That is a very good point, Your Highness,’ said Divodas. ‘But the ship is not moving because we don’t want it sailing off without us. The sails have been aligned such that they are directly against the wind. Can you see the main sail fluttering dramatically?’

Athithigva nodded.

‘That means that the sail is laughing at us since it’s not catching any wind.’

Shiva smiled. ‘Laughing?’

‘That’s the term we use when the sail has been set wrong and is fluttering, My Lord,’ said Divodas.

‘Well,’ said Shiva. ‘I’ll be serious then. We leave in three days for Branga. Make all the preparations.’

Sati was staring at the Ganga from her chamber window. She could see a small entourage of boats carrying King Athithigva across the river to his palace on the eastern banks.

Why does he keep going there? Why does he only take his family?

‘What are you thinking, Sati?’

Shiva was standing behind her. She embraced him. ‘I’m going to miss you.’

He pulled her face up, kissed her and smiled. ‘That’s not what you were thinking.’

Sati patted him lightly on his chest. ‘You can read my mind as well?’

‘I wish I could.’

‘I wasn’t thinking anything serious. Just wondering why King Athithigva goes to the Eastern palace so often. Even more oddly, he only takes his family there.’

‘Yes, even I’ve noticed that. I’m sure he has some good reason. There is the superstition of the eastern banks being inauspicious, right?’

Sati shrugged. ‘Is it fixed? You’re leaving in three days?’

‘Yes.’

‘How long do you think you’ll be gone?’

‘I don’t know. Hopefully, not too long.’

‘I wish I could come.’

‘I know. But Kartik is simply not old enough for a voyage like this.’

Sati looked at Kartik sleeping on his bed. He had grown so fast that he didn’t fit in his crib any more. ‘He looks more and more like you.’

Shiva smiled. ‘It’s been just six months, but he looks like a two–year–old!’

Sati had to take Shiva’s word for it. Being a Meluhan who did not live in Maika, she had never seen a child younger than sixteen years of age.

‘Maybe it’s the blessings of the Somras,’ said Sati.

‘Possible. Ayurvati was surprised that he didn’t fall sick the first time he took the Somras.’

‘That was surprising. But maybe that’s simply because he is a special boy!’

‘That he is. I’ve never seen a baby who could walk at six months.’

Sati smiled. ‘He will make us proud.’

‘I’m sure he will.’

Sati looked up and kissed Shiva again. ‘Just find a path to the Nagas and come back to me soon.’

‘I certainly will, my love.’

The ships had been provisioned. They did not intend to wait at any port along the way. Speed was of the essence.

Much to the mortification of Parvateshwar, a joint brigade of Suryavanshis and Chandravanshis had been created. It was difficult to carry more men in the five ships. But the saving grace was that the overall command remained with Drapaku.

Shiva looked at the ships from the steps of the Assi Ghat. Drapaku, as the commander, was on the lead craft, accompanied by his father Purvaka. The key companions of the Neelkanth were stationed on the main vessel, which would sail in the safest zone, surrounded by the other four boats. Parvateshwar, Bhagirath, Anandmayi, Ayurvati, Nandi and Veerbhadra, all stood at the balustrade of this ship. Shiva was surprised to find Uttanka too on the main ship.

Anandmayi must have insisted. If there is one woman who can entice Parvateshwar into breaking his vow of celibacy, it is her.

‘My Lord,’ said Athithigva, interrupting Shiva’s thoughts.

The King of Kashi bent down to touch the Neelkanth’s feet.

Shiva touched Athithigva’s head gently. ‘Ayushman Bhav.’

With folded hands, Athithigva whispered, ‘I beg you to return to Kashi quickly, My Lord. We are orphans without you.’

‘You don’t need me, Your Highness. You don’t really need anyone else. Have faith in the one person that loves you the most: Yourself.’

Shiva turned towards a moist-eyed Sati, who was holding Kartik’s hand as he stood by her side, wobbling slightly due to the strong winds.

Kartik pointed up at Shiva and said, ‘Ba-ba.’

Shiva smiled and picked Kartik up. ‘Ba-ba will be back soon, Kartik. Don’t give your mother too much trouble.’

Kartik pulled Shiva’s hair and repeated. ‘Ba-ba.’

Shiva smiled even more broadly and kissed Kartik on his forehead. Then he held Kartik to his side and stepped forward to embrace Sati. Some Suryavanshi habits were too hard to break. Sati embraced Shiva lightly, for she was embarrassed of such public displays of affection. Shiva didn’t let go. Sati’s love for Shiva conquered her Suryavanshi reserve. She looked up and kissed Shiva. ‘Come back soon.’

‘I will.’

Chapter 10

The Gates of Branga

The waters were rising fast, flooding the small boat.

Shiva tried desperately to control the vessel, fighting the raging river with his oars, labouring to reach his friend.

Brahaspati was struggling. Suddenly his eyes opened wide in surprise. What seemed like a rope came out of nowhere and bound itself to his legs. He started getting pulled in rapidly.

‘Shiva! Help! Please help me!’

Shiva was rowing hard. Desperately so. ‘Hold on! I’m coming!’

Suddenly a massive three headed snake rose from the river. Shiva noticed the rope around Brahaspati slithering up and around him, crushing him ruthlessly. It was the serpent!

‘Nooooo!’

Shiva woke up with a start. He looked around in a daze. His brow was throbbing hard, his throat intolerably cold. Everyone was asleep. He could feel the ground beneath him sway as the ship rocked gently, in tune with the Ganga waters. He walked up to the porthole of his cabin, letting the gentle breeze slow his heart rate down.

He curled his fist and rested it against the ship wall. ‘I will get him, Brahaspati. That snake will pay.’

It had been two weeks since Shiva’s entourage had left Kashi. Making good time since they were sailing downriver, they had just crossed the city of Magadh.

‘We should be reaching Branga in another three weeks, My Lord,’ said Parvateshwar.

Shiva, who was staring upriver, towards Kashi, turned around with a smile. ‘Did you speak to Divodas?’

‘Yes.’

‘Where is he right now?’

‘At the mast head, My Lord, trimming his sails to the prevailing wind. Obviously, he too wants to get to Branga quickly.’

Shiva looked at Parvateshwar. ‘No, I don’t think so. I think he yearns to play his role in my quest and then get back to his wife and daughter. He really misses them.’

‘As you miss Sati and Kartik, My Lord.’

Shiva smiled and nodded, both of them leaning against the ship rail, looking at the tranquil Ganga. A school of dolphins emerged from the river and flew up into the air. Falling gracefully back into the waters, they jumped up once again, continuing this handsome dance, in graceful symphony. Shiva loved looking at the dolphins. They always seemed happy and carefree. ‘Carefree fish in a capricious river! Poetic, isn’t it?’