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Copyrighttext©KevinMissal©2017FirstpublishedinIndiabyKalamosLiteraryServicesLLP.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeitherproductoftheauthor’simaginationor are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual person, livingor dead, eventsor locales is purelycoincidental.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise(exceptformentionsinreviewsoreditedexcerptsinthemedia)withoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

ISBN:9789388369305

Toeverywriterwhohasinspiredme…

NOTETOTHEREADER

Firstandforemost,beforeyoubeginreadingthisbook,Iwouldurgeyoutoreadthisnotefirst.It’lltakeyoulessthanfiveminutesandyouwillunderstandinwhatframeofmindthisbookwaswritten.

Thisisnotahistoricaloramodernre-adaptationoftheKalkiPurana.Thisisagrounded fantasy book that takes inspiration from the life of Kalki, the idea ofKaliyugandotherMahabharataandRamayanreferences.Butitisanabsoluteworkoffiction.

This is alsoa tribute to the stories andmovies that Ihave readandseen likeStarWars,LordoftheRingsandGameofThrones.Theyhaveinspiredandmademerealize it’snotabouthowepicthebookis,buthowepicthecharacters inthestoryshouldbe.

Thankyou.Youmayturnthepagenow.

KalkiHarisatfacingtheimpendingcoldwindsofthenorth,legscrossedtogether,asheprayedtoLordVishnu’sidol.Thewindblewharshly,whippinghiswavyhairoverhisscarredface.

Helookedupatthegrandeurofthestonestatue,thetalltwentyfeetmarvel;ithadfourarmsemanatingfromthemusculartorso.Onearmheldaconch,whiletheothersheldachakra,amaceanda lotus.Thestatuehadasereneface;oneyou’dthinkhadadeterminedlookaboutit.

Kalkiwasdwarfedinfrontofit,buthedidn’tcare.Hewouldalwaysbesmallinfront of Lord Vishnu. He chanted, closing his eyes. Cold didn’t seep into him;didn’tsetofftremorsdeepinsidehismarrow,likeitwouldtoanotherperson.Hehadthepatienceanddriveforit.HehadthepowerofLordVishnuinhim.

“Bewithme.”Andthenheopenedhiseyes.Hestooduponhisfeet,brushingthesnowfromhisfeet,asaparrotcasually

landedonhisbruisedshoulder.Hepattedthebird,lightlyscratchingitsneck.ThenhereachedoutfortheRatnaMarusword,impaledinthefrozenglacier.Hepulledit out and studied the inscriptions over it. Aside from the obvious mysterioussymbolsonit,therewassomethingenchantingaboutit.Hesheathedtheswordandthenwentforhishorse,mounting it.Patting itshead,hefirmlygraspedthereinsandlightlynudgedthecreature’sflanks.ThehorsewasnoneotherthanDevadatta,namedafteramanheonceknew.

Theforelimbsofthehorseroseup,momentarilyblockingouttheshapeoftherisingsun.

Hewasready.Fearnow,forhewascoming.

Inthemidstoftheragingdesertheat,Kalicouldseetheapproachingarmy.Theirformationwas large insizeandcircular,almostmoving likeaswarmof

locusts.Theyweresystematic,as ifeachstepwascalculated intermsofadvancedmilitarystrategies.Fornow,hisspyglasswasaffordingonlyaverylimiteddegreeofvision.Hecouldsee thesoldiersholdingshieldsandspearsat theouter flanksoftheformation,wearingheavyhelmetsandmetalpadsovertheirentirebodies.

HowwillIdothis?Thousandsofplansraced inhismind, todefeathis rival’s retinueofsoldiers,

butheloweredhisspyglass,handeditovertohisgeneralKoko,andmadehiswaytothetent.Hepassedthedozensofbullshehadbroughtoverfromthenorthtoaidinhisbattle,buthewasyettofigureouthow.

Themahogany table inside the tentwas placed in the centre,withmaps andfigures crowding the topof it.The lampoverheadburntbrightly, givinghim themuchneededlight.Hewaskneelingcloseandstudyingthemapintentlywhenheheardthevoiceofhisgeneral.

“Theyarehere,mylord.”“Damn,”Kalicursedunderhisbreath.“HasVikokoreturned?”

“Notyet,”Kokoansweredplacidly.Kali wasn’t astonished that despite sending over Koko’s sister out in the

dangerous fields to study the enemy’smethods andplans,Kokodidn’t showanysigns of hesitance. They were bound by blood oath to Kali and whatever hecommandedwouldbeexecutedbythemevenifitmeantriskingtheirlives.

The tent flaps opened andhe sawVasuki—theblue-eyed tribal prince—withKuvera, an obese man with a hairy mongoose wrapped around his neck, andRaktapa,withferociousphysicalproportionsandabadsetofteeth.

“I’mquite surprised you all entered together inmyhumble abode; given youdon’thaveacivilizedhistorytogether.”

Raktapa began, “Don’t piss around with us, Kali. You promised us thegovernmentofIndragarh.Wedon’tseethat.”

Kuvera, meanwhile, walked over to the wine glasses, near the fruit baskets,where he poured himself a drink. “I’m certain our dear ally doesn’t want todisappointus,sincehispromiseshavebeenfulfilledthusfar.ButIamalsocertainthatifwelosethis,theremightcomeatimewhenIthink,‘hmmm…whydidmypeopleandIaidyou?’”

Kaligrinned.“Idon’tlose.”Vasuki had a blue robe, matching his eyes. “Vedanta’s army is reaching our

base. And your people haven’t evenmounted their horses. I’ve toldmymen todepartinstantly.”

“Soyouhavecomeheretobidmefarewell?I’msureyou’llmissaprettysightifyouleaveearly.”

“I’mnotjoking,man.Theyarecoming.Andwewillallbedead.”“Wehaveanhourtilltheyreach,”Kaliassuredhim.“Anhourisnotenough.Wedon’thaveenoughmenforVedanta.”Kalinodded.“Yes,but…”AndthatiswhenVikokoentered,hergoldenhairsurroundingherlikeahalo.

Shewalkedinwiththeheavyarmouroverherandwhisperedsomething inKali’sears.

“Chakravyuh?”Vikokonodded.Raktapagrowled.“Tellus,man!Whathappened?”KalistudiedtheTribalHeadsforamoment.Theywerealldistinguished,hated

eachotherandKaliwastheonewhohadbroughtthemtogether.Hekneltdownandwithaquillhedrewadiagramoverthemap.“Soaccording

tomygeneralVikoko,Vedanta’sarmyisinthechakravyuhformation.”

“Chakravyuh?”Vasukinarrowedhiseyes.“A sort of concentric circle.” Kali continued, “A warfare technique. So the

chakravyuhisamethodemployedtoconfusetheopponentandthenattackthem.”“Howeffectiveisit?”Kuveraasked.“Wecanlose.”“Ohdearlord,”Vasukicried.“Howisitpossible?”“Achakravyuh,”hebegan todrawmultiple lines inside thebig circle thathe

haddrawnearlier,“hasseveral layers.Thefirst layer is thevisibleone, thepeoplewithshieldsandspears,basicallytheinfantry.Thosesoldiersarebasicallysacrificial.No one really gives a damn about them. The second layer is the mountedswordsmen, the cavalry. The third layer consists of the archers and the fourthlayer…”hemadethelastswirlonthepagewithhisinkedquill,“iswhereVedantaiswithhisSenapati.”

“So to get to him, we need to break three layers of trained, ruthless andbloodthirstysoldiers?”Kuvera’svoicequiveredattheend.

“Yes,buttheyare inacircleandtheykeepmovingbecauseifbychance,youtrytoattackonesideofthecircle…”hescribbledharshlyonthepage,“thecirclemanagestomoveandothers,thelessinjuredones,willattackyou.”

“Acircleofhell,indeed.”Kuverarolledhiseyes.“Howdidyourgeneralfindthatout,beingawomanandall?”Raktapaasked.Vikokogrowledunderherbreath.Kalijustlaughed.“Shehasagoodeyeandyoujustneedtohaveagoodeyeforstrategytoseethe

army.”“Isthereawaytoendthisordowejustleave?”Vasukiblurtedout.“Leave and you’ll be termed cowards of the war.”Kali walked over to him,

standingnosetonose.“Betteracowardthanastupidmartyr,”Vasukisaid.Thesmellofbetel leaves

assaultedKali’snostrils.Kuverasighed.“Howmanymendoyouneedfrommyside?”Raktapacameforward.Kalismiled.“Men?WhosaidIneedmen?”

KingVedantasatinhischariot,flankedbytwosoldierswhohadlongswords.Notthatheneededthemtoprotecthim;butitwasnicebeingintheprotectionofyourownmen.

Vedanta could see how the plans from the ancient scriptures worked.Legendary strategists used this method and now he was using it too. Vedantapromisedhimselfhewouldreturntohiskingdomandwritelongpassagesabouthisbraveryandfightagainstinjustice.

“ThatKalihasbeenravagingthelandofIllavartiwithhisstupidandcastelessoutcasts! They think they can destroy the son of Indra,” he proclaimed to hissoldiersproudly.

“SonofLordIndra?”Oneofthesoldiersmeeklyasked.“AreweprotectingaGod’sson,yourhighness?”

“Yes!”hefrowned.“Whereishe?”“Rightinfrontofyou!”“YouareasonofGod?”Thesamesoldierblurtedout.“Not literally! As in Lord Indra was spiritually my father, the one I

worshipped.”

“Ohallright.”Thesoldierwasdisappointed.“Shutyourtrapandworryaboutthebattle,”hemurmured.“Nouseintalking

toilliterateslikeyou.”Thesoldierkepthissilence.Vedanta didn’t notice anything until his chariot rocked and finally halted.He

stuckhisheadoutofthechariottoseewhatwaswrong,cursingthedriver.“Whatiswrong?”“Thearmyhasstopped,mylord.”“Stopped?” Vedanta jumped from the carriage and his soldiers hurriedly

followedhim.Hewalked to his Senapati since he couldn’t see through the layers properly.

“What’swiththeholdup,eh?”TheSenapatileaptdownfromhishorsetothegroundandhandedVedantathe

spyglass.Heswallowedahugelumpashespoke,beforeVedantacouldlook.“Kaliisnotplayingfair.”HetheninstructedhisarmytomakewayandletVedantahavealookatwhatwascomingforthem.

Vedantamovedforward,evenasheadjustedthespyglass.“Fair?Fair?He’sabloodymess,thatMleccha!He’snogood.Whywouldyou

expecthimtoplayfair?Wearemoreinnumbers.Hismen…”hecontinueduntilhepaused to see through the spyglass, to lookat thederangedsightofhorror infrontofhim.“InthenameofLordIndra,whatinsevenheavensisthat?”Hisfeetwerefrozentothedustygrounds.

“Those,yourhighness,arethebulls.”“Icanseethat.”Helookedawayfromthespyglassandtohisgeneral.“Butwhy

doth…theyhavefireontheirheads?”

Kali,sittingastridehishorse, leanedforwardgleefullyashesawthehugenumberofbulls smash against theopponents’ shields, almost cracking them.Most ran infear while others tried to attack, but the bulls just flung them apart. They allstaggeredandranfortheirlives.

Ithadworked,usingoil-drenchedclothwrappedaroundthebulls’heads.Whentheclothwaslitonfire,thebullssawred.

Kaliwhistled, andKoko andVikoko appearedon either sideofhim.BehindthemwerethemengivenbyKuvera,allwithrottenteethandgreasyhair.

“TaketheYakshasandpositionthemtohitlongandhigh,rightinthemiddle.Sincethefirstlayerisbroken,wehavealimited,butagreaterdegreeofvisibility,”hesaid.

They both nodded.They rode further up in the clear horizonwith the dirty,swine-likeYakshasmovingattheback.Theywereshortinsizeandextremelyfat,butwereexcellentarchers.Andthat’swhatKalineededrightnow.

KuverawaswatchingfromthetentwithVasukiandRaktapa.HewalkedovertoKali,hisrobetrailinginthesand.

“Mymen aren’t themost proficientwhen it comes to battles, so you shouldknowthatthoseareRaktapa’smen.”

“Yes,buttheyhavegoodeyes.Andthat’swhatIneedrightnow.Rakshasas,ontheotherhand,aregoodforclosecombat,butIpromisedyouIwouldn’tlosealotofmeninthiswarandthat’swhatIplantodorightnow.”

“Andwhatwouldthatplanbeexactly?”KaliwinkedatKuvera.“Don’tworryaboutthat.Justgetthehorsesdressedup,willyou?”“Idon’tknowifthatplanwouldevenwork.”“Trustme.”HisgeneralwiththeYakshaswasstationedwellafar.Rightnowthebullshad

distracted Vedanta’s soldiers enough,making even the archers stop caring aboutwhatwasabouttohitthem.Kokolookedbackwhenallthebowswiththeirarrowswerestrungtowardsthesky.KokogaveanodtoKali.

AndKalinoddedback.Kokoyelledatthatmoment.Arrowsflewlikerazorsinthesky,pulsatinginthe

airandthensharplybearingdownuponandtearingintoVedanta’sarmy.

Vedanta was running from the bulls as he jumped to hide in his chariot. Thearchershadkilleda fewof them,but theanimalswere insucha frenzy that theywere difficult to target. Their hard skinswere immune to swords aswell as jabsfromthelances.

And just when he saw the fiery bull attacks were beginning to lessen, therecameanothersurprise.Avolleyofarrowsraineddownfromthetop.Hewaspulledinside instantaneouslyby the same illiterate soldier, as thearrowshitmanyofhismenwhowereintheinnercircle.HecouldseetheSenapati’sbodyguttedbytheattack.

Heshoutedorders,butnoone listened.Thearrowsdidn’t stop, soheclosedhis eyes, hiding inside the chariot, praying for himself whilst he could hear thedecimationofhismenas theycriedouthisname.Bodieswerecollapsingon theground, thebloodsplashingaroundhim.Thescentof fire, smokeandbrimstoneengulfed him. The horrific tableau of violence around him reminded him of thewooden figurines of make-believe games from his childhood, when he wouldsenselesslyplayGodandwreakhavoc all around.Today,he feltnauseousof theviolence.Andthenthearrowsweregone.Silencereignedwheremomentsagothereweredeafeningsoundsofdestruction.

Vedantamovedfromthechariotandmadehiswayoutside.Hecouldseethebloodshedallaroundhim,bodiespiledovereachother.

Whatkindofdevilwoulddosuchathing?Thecommanderfromthe innercircleappeared.“Yourhighness,whatshould

wedo?Wehavelostahugenumberofmen.Wecan’tevenmovenowsince…”“Iknow,Iknow.Justholdonfornow.Andwaitforthemtomakeamove.”“Yes,yourhighness.”Asheproceededtoclimbbackintothechariot,Vedantanoticedthathishorse

wasalmostunscathedintheattack.ItwascleverofhisSenapatitohavesuggestedarmourforthebeast.

Kalisawthatthearmywasn’tmovinganymore.Ithadbeenstaticforawhile.Heknew it was the time to seize victory.He congratulatedKoko andVikoko, whostoodwiththeYakshasatthefront.

Kuverabroughtthehorses,dressedconfoundinglyaselephants.“Isthiswhatyouneededfrommyhorses?Wecouldhavebroughtthebigones

andsortedthetroubleratherthandressingthemthisway.”“Thefactthatyouthinkthatway,mate,iswhyyouarestandinghereundermy

command.”Kuvera’smouthwasagapein.ThatwaswhenRaktapaandVasukienteredthe

scene,fortheywerealreadywitnessingallofitfromtheconfinesoftheirtent.“Andwhatdoyouplantodo,man?Theyareweaknow.ShouldIjustsendmy

menandfinishthewholedealinstantly?”Raktapascoffed.“Um,noneednowreally,”Kalisaid.“I’mgoingtoofferthematruce.”Vasukigrowled,“Truce?Whatajoke!”“I’mnothumouringyou,PrinceVasuki,”Kali’svoicehardened.“I’mgoingto

offerthemthetruce.”Raktapa,VasukiandKuveralaughedatthisdeclaration.“Andmindyou,boy,howdoyouplantomovetowardsthatdirectionandnot

getkilledbyVedanta’ssoldiers?”“Oh,hewon’tkillme.”Kalisatontheelephant-trunkedhorse,withKokoand

Vikokoontheside.“Sosure,arewe?”Kuveracrooned.“I’mnotsendingmymenonthissuicidemission,”Raktapaannounced.“Noneedto,”Kalisaid.“Iamonlygoingwithmygenerals.”“With that ridiculousoutfit for yourhorse and that absurdplanof yours,we

should just find a new commander to aid us in the battles against theManavs,”Vasukisaid.“Sinceyouareclearlyfarfromsuitableforthejob.”

Kalijustsmiled.Therewasnouseofexplainingthis.HemanoeuvredtheheavyhorseanddecidedtoridetowardsVedanta,whenKuvera’svoicereachedhim.

“Sinceyouareleavingforyourdeath,wouldyoumindtellingushowyouwereabletocrippletheChakravyuhsothatwecanuseitforourlaterbattles?”

“Youhittheheart.”Hesignalledtowardsthedrumbeaters,whoweresprawledontheground,dead.“Theirdrummerswerehowthearmywasmoving.Oncethebeatsweredead,thearmywasconfused.ThebeatsmadethesynchronousstructureandI justpulledawaythestructurewhenthebullsbecametheirdistraction.Nownomatterhowmanypeopletheyhaveinthehuddleoverthere,theyareconfused,scared andmost of all broken. They don’t have any heart to follow. And that’swhereweneedtohitnow.”

Andherodeon.Buthecouldheartheslywhispersintheback,comingfromRaktapa.

“Notsoridiculousafterall,”hesaid.

Vedantacouldfeelthemajorenergydropamongsthisleftoverarmy.Theyallstoodstill,withtheirweaponsandshieldsintact,buttheydidn’thavethesameconfidenceanymore.Afewofthemwerepullingacrosstheinjuredmen,closetothecaravansformedicalaid,whileothersweredrinkingfromthewatercanistersplacedonthemules.

Hethoughthewouldhavewonthewarwithnohasslesincetheoutcastswereweak and scattered;mired in their own factional politics.Thushehadbrought arelativelysmallarmythanwhathehadbackinhiskingdom.Hisarrogancewashisdownfallclearly,asheretheoutcastswereacohesiveunit.Vedantacursedhimself,for he wished that he had listened to the messages his allies had sent fromSuryagarhandVarungarh,whichhadbeentakenhostagebythescoundreloutcasts.The remaining cities were already controlled by them and the last one wasIndragarh,thecapitalofIllavarti.Andherehewas,facingtheultimatepenaltyforhisvainbeliefinhisownpower.

And then in the midst of his thoughtful musing, he heard the cry of hiscommander.

“Theenvoysarecomingfromtherivalcamp!”“Killthemfromafar,”Vedantayelledback.

“Allrightyourhighness…”andthenhepaused.“Uh…”Vedantasteppedforwardtoseethreesoldiersmovingtowardsthem,butriding

atopbabyelephants.Theystoppedtenpacesawayfromthem.“Isaidkillthem!”“Mylord,wecan’t.”“Whynot?”Vedantagrowled.“Theyare…theyareridingonbabyelephants,theanimal-vehicleofLordIndra,

thelordweworship.”Vedantareluctantlysawthepoint.Hemovedforward,withhiscommanderon

thesidecribbingabouthowtheyshouldsendabirdforbackuptoRajgirh,theroyalpalaceofIndragarh.Heknewtheywouldtakeatleastfivetosixhourstoreachthebattlezone.

Vedantawalkedaheadofhisdefence,stoppingandstaringattherivalenvoys,whowereswathedinthelightfromtheweakmorningsun.“Whatdoyouwant?”askedVedanta,hisvoiceroaring.

Theenvoy in themiddle cameoffofhisbabyelephant andwalkedover.Hewasatallmanwithjet-blackhair,afaircherubicface,adisarmingsmileandgoldeneyes. He was a handsome lad, no doubt, but he was devious; the way his eyespiercedVedanta’ssoul.

“IamhumbledtosaymynameisKali.”“SoyouarethemanwhoisleadingthewaragainsttheManavs,destroyingmy

menandallyingwiththetreacherousoutcasts!”“TheTribals,myfriend,aren’toutcasts.Theyhaveequalrightsandthat’swhat

theyandIhavebeenfightingfor.”Hisvoicegrewlouderforthesoldierstohearhim now. “We don’t want any more war since both of us have sufferedtremendously.Wecomewithpeace.”

“Andwhat ifwedon’twantpeace?Yousee,what if I cutoffyourheadandsenditback?Withnoonetoleadtheoutcasts,they’llsuffer.”

“Youmaytry,”hemocked.VedantagrittedhisteethashepulledouthisswordandhelditclosetoKali’s

neckwhenhiswristwasheldbackbyhiscommander.“No,yourhighness.”“Howdareyoustopme?”“Iwouldn’thave,yourhighness,ifitwasn’tforthat.”Thecommandersignalled

over to the back, where the other two envoys with Kali had their swords heldacrossthebabyelephants’necks,readytocut.

“You threatenmewithmyownbeliefs. I never thought thatmy faithwould

hindermeinmyprogress.”KalibegantowalkaroundVedantalikeademanding,darkforce.“I justwish tohave leverage.Weprotectyour interestsandyouprotectours.

Let’sbefair.Wehaveabiggerarmythanyou.”Hestopped,nosetonose, inchesawayVedanta.“WehavetheRakshas,theNagas,andtheYakshaswhileyourmenare depleting in numbers, dehydrated, starving, and in urgent need of medicalsupplies.Youwouldn’tstandachanceagainstusforonemorenight.Yourfortisfarfromhere.Travellingbackwillonlycostyoumore;thatisifweletyoutravel.”

Vedanta looked at hismen. They all looked convinced about whatKali wassaying.Hehadamagnetic,softvoice,whichmadeevenVedantamelt.

“Comewithustoourtents.Wewillfeedandgiveyouwater.Idonotwishtohurtyouorkillmoreofyourmenifyousettleitwithus.IwanttofindamiddlegroundforthecityofIndragarh,whereatrucecanhappenbetweentheTribalsandtheManavs,nothingelse.Wecando thateitherbypeaceor…”henarrowedhiseyesmeaningfully.“Wecantake it fromyou.ButIdon’twishtodothat.Idon’twanttokillyou.Ijustwanttoworkwithyou.”

“Youmeanyouwanttotakeoverlikeadictator?Torobmeofmycity?”“Ipromiseyouone thing.Youwillbe theking.Always.Wewill justbeyour

help,”Kaliexplained.“Whatabouttheoutcasts?Willtheyagreetothis?”“Theyalreadyhave.Wealljustwantpeace.Ifyouremember,youweretheone

charging at us here, at our safe post. We were just coming to your city for acompromise.”

Vedantamused.Hewasstubborn,almostmulish,butheagreedhisentirearmywasnexttonothingagainsttheoutcastforces.HisdeathwouldunleashcentrifugalforcesinIllavarti.Buttoreturnwithouthonourwasalsoaseriousmatter;thoughhonourwouldmakesenseonlyintheeventofbeingalive.

“Iwanttoknowalltheaccords,therules,theguidelines…”“Wecansetupacouncilmeetingforthat.”“Thepeoplewillbescared…”Vedanta noticed Kali didn’t have any weapon on him. He had worn

flamboyant, multicoloured robes, with a cloak around the back. His boots wereshinybut ruggedandhis skin, thoughperfectly sculpted,had seen the ravagesofwar.“Changeisscarybutgood.Alwaysgood.It’lltaketimeforthemtosettle,buttheywill,believeme.”

Vedantasighed.“BytheVajra,IhopeIdon’tregretthis.”

“It’snotlikeadealwiththedevil.”Kalismiled.Vedantanodded.Hewouldhave to findawaysomeother time toget ridof

Kali,perhapsallywithsomeone.Butfornow,itwasKali’striumph.

AttheoutskirtsofIndragarh,thecitywaswell-equippedwithanumberofvillages,which aided the urban eliteswith agriculture,mining and husbandry.Therewerelongtractsofgreenfieldsspreadacrossthegenerallandscapeoflushforestry.Theyhad no proper roads like in the city. They didn’t have charioteers or horses, butbullockcarts,andsomeofthemeventravelledonfoot.Housesweremadeofclay.They had their own panchayats and followed the city instructions, but had theirownlawspassedbythesarpanch.

Out of these villages, one of themost sheltered ones was Shambala—a fivehundred people strong tenement,where inhabitants knew each other by the firstname.Theywere famous forcowgrazingand theexportationofmilk to thecityandthustheyhadflourishedthemost.Shambalawasevengiftedwithlargeterrainsandcaves thatnoonedared toenter for fearofbad luck.Therewere sculpturesand treesmore than twenty feet in height. The biggest onewaswhere SarpanchDevadattawouldsitwithhismenandpassjudgments.

Arjan Hari was the first to know about the ill-fated news—INDRAGARHHAD BEEN TAKENOVER. This was the talk of the village when SarpanchDevadattainstructedthevillagerstowelcomethechangeopen-heartedly.

“TheysayKingVedantawasdefeatedbytheoutcasts…”

“TheTribalsarescarypeople…willtheycomeafterus?”Villagersmurmured,andwhispersandrumoursflewfast.Devadattapromisedthatnosuchthingwouldhappen if thecompromisewas

met. “We knew the day would come where we would have to look up to newleaders. I have got the news first-hand that they do not seek the destruction ofIndragarhbutwant a settlement for everyone to live inpeace andharmony.”Hepulledoutagolden-colouredparchmentandsaid,“Wehavebeengiven the royaldecree that even though there are changes in the city administration, the villageswouldn’t be affected and the relationship between us will remain absolutely thesameasbefore.Andonly, ifonlywerebel,only thenweshallbepunished.Nowlet’shope itdoesn’t come to that, ehpeople?Sameasbefore, a little stricter,butyeah,sameindeed.”

Somesaid:“BAH!WHATHORSESHIT!”Whileotherssaid:“ItcouldbewellforthedevelopmentofIllavarti.”Arjanpartiallyknewthetruththough,fromwhathehadheardabouttheother

cities.Unlikethevillagers,ArjanhadheardrumoursaboutwhathadhappenedwithSuryagarh—the entire treasury hadbeen looted away, the armywas replaced andthekingwasjustamerepuppet.Butmostofall,thevillageswereburntandinsteadcitieshadbeenerected.Theycaredaboutdevelopment,butinthewrongsense.Inthenameofharmony,theTribalsspreadanythingbutthat.

He left the meeting and rushed to his hut, where he had some bread andvegetablesoupwithhismother,SumatiAmma.

“Whereisyourbrother?”“Absolutelynoidea.”“Mustbeloiteringaroundwiththatgirl…”“Lakshmi?”“Yes.”“Isuppose.Youcan’tblamehimforbeingwithhertodaysinceshecamefrom

thecityaftermanyyears,”Arjanlaughed.“DidyouhearaboutKingVedanta?”“Yes,andIhopeitdoesn’taffectus.”Arjanassureditwouldn’t,thoughheknewhewaslyingtoher.“Ijusthopewegettokeepourjobssincewehaveworkedsomuchonit.You

can’treallybelievetheTribals.Theyarecapableofjustdestructionanddeath.”“Noonewillstealfromus.”Shepausedandcomposedherwords.“NotwhenIhaveabravewarriorinour

house.”“YoumeanKalki?”

“Shush.No,you.”Shesmiled.Arjanchuckled.“Thankyouforthekindwords.”Arjancametohisfeetwithhiswoodenbowl,

movingtothesinkandpouringsomewaterfromthejugtocleanit.Kalkihadalwaysbeenthemorejovialandcasualson,whileArjanhadbeenthe

dependable one. It was a surprise howmaturity struck Arjan earlier than Kalki,sinceArjanwaseightyearsyoungerthanhim.

“Areyouleavingforwork?”SumatiAmmaasked.“Yes.”Andheplacedthewashedbowlontheside.

The setting sky bestowed the scenery with glimmering orange rays as Arjanwalked to thepastureland,wherehis father,Vishnuyath,wasworking.Hewaved.Hisfatherglancedathim,sighing.

“Youarelate.”Hisfatherwalkedtowardshimafter instructinghismentotakethemilkback

tothewarehouse.Hestood,lanky,nexttothebulkyframeofArjan.Hewasn’tthemosthandsomeman,Arjanbelieved.Buthewasakindperson,witheyesthathadwarmthinit.

“Earlierthanhim.”“Hehasn’t been coming forwork for the last twodays,”Vishnuyath cursed,

walkingovertoArjan.ThedairyfarmhadbeenpartofArjan’sfamilyforgenerations,passedfromthe

forefathersofVishnuyathtothepointthatVishnuyathhadlearnteverythingaboutbreeding,milking andherdingbefore hehadhit his teenage years.Therewasnoinjusticeonthepooranimalsunlikeotherplaces,wherecowswerebeatenandmilkwas forcibly taken from them.Milch animalswere treatedwith foremost respect;acknowledged for theirmilkanddairyproducts,which imbuedShambalawith itsprosperity.

Arjanwasproudof thisfact thoughhefoundallof thisa tadexhaustingandboring. It was not fun—cows andmilking.Not themost interesting thing for ayoungladlikehim.

Hebegantoworkfortheday,wonderingwhathisolder,carelessbrotherwasbe doing as of now. And then, across the farthest stretch of the field, he sawsilhouettesofhorsemen,withtheirswordsandlanceshighintheair.

Theywereridingtowardsthefarm.

Lakshmihadbeenwashingherparents’ clothes close to the river. Shehadhatedreturning from Indragarh; since there she had learnt much about mathematics,astronomy and was under her aunt’s tutelage for education. But due to recentchangesinthecity,shewasinstructedtoreturnhere.TheTribalswerechangingthelandscapeandheraunt,beinginthejudicialandlibrarydepartmentsofthecity,hadtoldLakshmitoleave,asitwastheonlywisecourseofaction.

Asshehadleft,shehadseenalittlebitanditwasn’tmuchofasurprisesincenothingreallyhadchanged.Itwouldtaketime,perhaps,buttheinclusionofTribalsand the loss by Vedanta hadn’t impacted the people. Sure, the scribes made anuisance, rumours flew thick, but nothing drastic had happened. Not a sign ofrebellion occurred, and everyone continued to do their own work. Some evenmigratedasshecouldseea lotofcaravansandcarts leaving.Theydid itperhapsoutoffearthatsomethingwouldhappen,butLakshmiwascertaintheTribalsweregoodnews.Theyshouldbegivenequalrightsandresponsibilities.

Now here she was, back in the sleepy and backward hamlet, feeling like acompletetool.Shewantedtobefierceandnotwashingclothesintheclearwaters.Thoughtheriverwasdeeperthanthelasttimeshehadbeenhere,anditdidn’tlookstill,itwasinfact,stirringrapidly.

Shenarrowedhereyes,wonderingwhethershehadcometotherightriverthathermotherhadinstructedherabout.

Orwasittheoneclosetothehills?Theriver’scalmsurfacewasshatteredwhenacrocodilesuddenlyappearedand

grabbed the clothes she had been washing. She pulled herself back, almoststaggering.

Wrongone!Wrongone!Thecrocodileviciouslytorethroughherclothesandhewascomingoutofthe

river for her. She grabbed one end of her kurti while the crocodile grabbed theotherend.Theybegantotugatit.

“Leave!Youfilthycreature!”Thecrocodilewasforceful,ashejerkedLakshmiforward.Herbodywasflung

towardsthecreatureandshefelttheinvoluntarylossofherfooting.Andthentherewerestronghandsthatgrabbedherelbowandpulledherback.

The shadowy figure lurched forward and literally kicked the crocodile in thestomach.Itfellbackwithasplash.Thenthefigurerolledaroundwithituntiltheybothsplashedunderthesurfaceofthewater.

“Areyouallright?Whoisit?Areyouallright?”Thewaterrippledandtherewerehandsandacrocodile tailmovingupwards.

Lakshmi’s heart came to her mouth as she hoped that her saviour wouldn’t dietryingtosaveher.Shelookedattheriverforawhile,butthewaterwasnowstill.Andthenwatersplashedalloverherclothesasthefigureemergedfromthewater,turningouttobenoneotherthanherchildhoodfriendKalki.

Hewas older, bigger, and bulkier than before, with long,wavy hair, and theprayer beads of Lord Shiva tied around his biceps.His abs glistenedwith bloodsustainedfromhisfightwiththecrocodile,buthisboyishsmilegavenothingaway.

Lakshmicameuptohim,worriedoutofhermind,butKalkijustembracedhertightly.Hepulledbackandjustsmiled.

“Youarealwayschasingdanger,idiot.”Hesmackedheronthehead.“Andyouarealwayschasingtosaveme,”Lakshmisaid.“Anddidyou…just…

didyoujustkillacrocodile?”“Uh, not really killed, but scaredhim away,” hepaused, as he glanced at her

lovingly.“Whydidn’tyouinformmethatyouwerecoming?”“Because itwas sudden and before you askme anything else, I just came to

Shambala yesterday and mother gave me all of this stupid work,” she frowned.“Already.”

Kalkilaughedashegrabbedholdofhiskurtafromthetreehehadstrungiton.

Heputonthekurtaashesaid,“Whatdidyouexpect?Justbecauseyouliveinthecitydoesn’tmeanyouareoneofthem.”

Lakshmi frowned. “I had been gone two years and look at you; you havechangedsomuch.”

“Twoyearsisalongtime,sincemybestfriendonlycaredtosendmealetterjustonceintwomonths.Sometimes,noteventhat.”

“Iwasbusystudyingandyouwereclearlybusybuildingyourphysique.”“More like findingodd jobs around the village to do, doing the heavy lifting

andearningextracoins;sodon’ttellmyfatherandmother,”heflexedhisbiceps.“IknowIlookgood,love.Nowstopstaring,itiscreepy.”

“Ohplease,therearesomanyhandsomemenaroundinIndragarh…especiallyyoushouldsee…”shecontinuedtotalk.Shehadalargefrownwritonherfacebytheattackandhowithadledtoherclothesbeingdestroyed,“seethesoldiers.Theyaresohandsome.”

“Oh,handsome,eh?”SheturnedtogobackwhenKalkiwasstandingrightthere, inchesawayfrom

her.Hishandswenttoherhipsandgrabbedittightly,squeezingthem,ashertoesbegantocurlinvoluntarily.

“Handsome,arethey?”“Yes,handsome.”“What else did you learn or see in the city?” He came extremely close, his

breathsmellingofmint.EventhoughshelikedhowKalkiheldher,shepushedbackplayfullyandsaid,

“AlsoI’velearntyoucan’ttouchmewithoutmypermission.”“Permission?”“Consent,yes.”Sheblurted,walkingbacktowardsthevillage.“Iapologize.Fromnexttime,Iwill.”“Apologyacceptedsinceyousavedmylifeandmostofmyclothes.”Kalkilaughed,nervouslyscratchingthebackofhishead.“Now come tomy home. I’ll get you themedicine since you are bleeding,”

Lakshmiglancedatthebright,redspotsthathadappearedonhiswhitekurta.Kalkisighedandfollowedher.

“Brother…brother…”Faintwhisperscouldbeheardasheopenedhiseyes,awhitelightblindinghim

and allowinghim to seenothing for awhile.And then slowly his sight began torecover.HesawDuruktitoweringoverhim,herfacecontortedintoanexpressionofconcern.

“Brother?”“Uh,yes,”Kaliheaved.Hecouldn’tstand.Hewasfrozentothespot.“Sorry,

yeah…”Durukti helped him up asKali noticed therewere two soldiers in the room,

concernedforhim.Hewavedandtheyimmediatelyleft,whilehestaggeredovertothebedandsat.

“Whydoyouthinkyoufainted?”Kalishookhishead.Hehadnoideahow.Hewasrelentlesslycoughedtillthe

pointhehadablackout.“Becauseofyou,thecouncilmeetinghasnotbegun.”KalilookedupatDurukti.Howlittleshehadbeenwhenhehadsavedherfrom

theirburningvillage.Thesightofayoungladwithaninfantwrappedinhisarmsstillhauntedhimtothisday.Hehadseenhorrorshewasnotreadytospeakabout.

Shehadnowgrownintoawomanofbeautyandgrace,toppedwithanobleheart.She had knee-length hair braided to perfection,while her eyeswere the same asKali.Golden.Onlytheirtribehadthesegenetictraits.

“Thankyou.”“Youlooksick.”“Iamperhaps.Iamseeingvisionsand…mylungstheydon’tfeelallright.”Durukti sat beside him and held her palm against his chest. She felt his

heartbeat.“It’sgoingtoofast.”“Yes.Ishouldbeleaving.”Duruktinodded.“Takecare,brother.I’llmeetyouinthechambers.”Shekissed

hischeekandleft.He walked over to the polished brass plate, gazing at himself. And then he

began to put on his clothes. He didn’t have any sword with him for he hatedweapons.Tooviolentforhisownuse,hewouldponder.

Dressing up, he exited the room and made his way towards the councilchamber.HehadreachedthecentralmazeoftheforestinRajgirh.Hepassedtheprefectureas the flooropenedout tosteps that led toapedestal.Thewallsweremade of glazed stones, strong and dark, tall enough to touch the skies. Thestationed soldierswere like hawks, peering at everyone, standing formidablywiththeir weapons. Unlike the other cities of Illavarti, Indragarh didn’t have highceilingsorbuildings,butweremostlyopeninplan,lettingtheskiesplayitsmagic.

Hehadenteredthechamber,whichwasitselfanopencourtyard,inthemidstoffourtrees,withamammothroundtableinbetweenthebronzethrones.

KalicouldseeVedantasittingwithhistwoguards,whileKuvera,RaktapaandVasukiwerewaitingforKali.

“I’msorryformydelay,myfriends.”“Foranimportantdaylikethis,youshouldn’thave,”Vasukicomplained.“Iamhavingafewhealth issues.”AndhiseyesdartedtowardsDurukti,who

slowly walked over to the throne, which belonged to Kali. She stood alongsideKokoandVikoko,whowerewearingtheirbloody,dirtyarmour.

Kalisatonthechairandlookedateveryone.“Shallwebeginthen?”“Youdecide.Afterall,everythinghappensaccordingtoyou,”Vedantarambled.“Wellsomeoneisdisrespectful,”Kuveraplayfullyquipped.“OfcourseIam.Mypeoplehateme.Theycallmeacoward.”“Andsoontheywilltermyouasavisionary,”Kalisaid.“Withtheinclusionof

Vasuki,youwillhavebetterministersamongyouradministrators, againstEastern

andWesternattacks.WithRaktapa,you’llhaveastrongerarmy,andwithKuverayourmercantilebusinesswillgrowtenfold.It lookslikeacurserightnow,butit’sonlyforthebettermentofthiskingdom.”

Kuveranodded.“Yesyourhighness,youwillhavemysupport.”Vedantagrowledunderhisbreath.Kali lookedatKokoashebrought thedecreeandplaced it flaton the table.

“TheTreatyofIndragarhhasbeendraftedbyourlegaladvisors.Nowit’stimetosignitandmakeitreal.”

“TheDakshinismustbelaughingatme,”Vedantasaid,grittinghisteeth.The Dakshinis were the Southern kings, like the Udaiyas who were the

NorthernKings of Illavarti. TheUdaiyas controlled cities like Indragarh and fornow,Kalihadconqueredandcreatedpactsinthenorth.

“TheDakshinisaren’tmyproblem.Theyhavetheirnavalsystem,andtheyhavetheir own relationshipwithEelam,” he spoke about the islandof prosperity thatwaspopulatedbytheRakshas,thedark-skinnedandliteratewarriors.“Theyarenotourproblem.”

“Exactly,”Raktapasaid.“Let thepeopleof thiscityand the restbeaccustomed to thenew life, a life

whereeveryoneisequalandlookeduptoasarespectfulcitizen,despitethecasteand class they come from.”Kali devotedly spoke. “Also, LordRaktapa, IwouldneedyouatAgnigarh.There’sasmallrebellionthatmustbestavedoff.Whileyouarethere,stayandhandlethesituationwithKingSamrat.”

“Asyousay,LordKali,”Raktapasmiled,baringhissmallandsharpcanines.“Shallwemoveforwardthen?”Everyone nodded except for Vedanta, who reluctantly growled. Kali walked

casuallyovertothetable,dippedhisquillintheinkstandandsignedoffhisname.ThesamewasdonebyKuvera,thenRaktapa,followedbyVasukiandfinallybythesternVedanta.Onceitwasdone,KalihandedthepapertoKokoandtoldhimtokeepitinthesafe.

“Asofnow, theplan is thatwewill havenew fortsbuilt. SowewouldneedKingVedanta’slabourersatourdisposal.Kuverawillhandlethestreetbazaars.”Towhich Kuvera humbly nodded. “The theatre, miscellaneous activities and thearmourieswill be handled byVasuki’smen.TellTakshak look over the personalarmyofthestate.”

“Whataboutmycommanders?”theManavkingasked,astounded.“Tobefair,KingVedanta,wedon’tthinktheyarecapableenough.”Vedantarolledhiseyes.

“Whataboutthevillages?Arewecallingoffthetaxes?”“Sincethetreasuryisalmostextinguished,andKuvera’spromisetofillupthe

treasury has been delayed due to the problems in transportation, we shouldcontinuewithtaxation,atleasttemporarily.”

“The farmers are the cornerstone of Indragarh. With any additional taxes,they’llbeburdenedunduly,”Vedantaprotested.

Kalilookedathimwithhardeyes.“Yourhighness,Idon’treallycare.Weneedmoneytosustainthiscity,especiallyifwearebuildingarmedfortsforourselves.”

“He’sright,”Kuverabegan,“butwhowillbetheluckypersontohandlethat?”“Notyou,”Vasukigrinned.Kuvera smothered a frown.Kali knew there was a bit of acrimony between

thesetwotribes,buthetoneditdownwithatimelyandstrategicannouncement.“My sister Durukti is capable of these affairs. She can enforce will when

needed.”“WhatwillIdothen?”spatVedanta.Kalilookedoverthroughthepagesthatwerescatteredonthetable.Hepulled

outone.“Youhave themost important job.Youwill travel around thecitywithyourchariotandmenandtellthetaleabouthowgooditwastomakeapactwithusandhowwellIndragarhwillrisefromtheunderdevelopmentitwassufferingfrom,forsolong.”

“YoumeanIshouldlie?”“It’sonewaytolookatitandtheotherwayisyouareinstillinghopeinpeople

thatyouweren’tdefeatedbyus,whichyouclearlywere,butyouhadworkedwithusbecauseyousawthembeforeyourself.Youneedtoshowyouarestilltheirking.Yousawthe future.Youwantedme tomakesure theydon’thateyou.Withyououttherepromisingthemagoodthing,that’sexactlywhatI’mlettingyouhave.”

Vedanta was fuming with anger and his eyes had grown bloodshot, but hedidn’tsayanything.HejustclenchedhisfistandletgowhileKalicouldonlygrin.HowcanIbeanymorereasonable?

Kali felt aburn inhis chest thathe ignored.He struggledwith a smile asheended thecouncilmeeting, “I’llbeorganizinga feast atRajgirh aswell as a feastoutsideforthecitydwellers,atameagrecostofonesilvercoinperperson.It’llbegood,”hepaused,asthechestburnbegantoincrease,“forsignifyingthebrighterfuturewehaveaheadofus.”

“CHEERS!”Everyonesaid,exceptone.

Kalkihadhisbruises andwoundshealedby themedicinal leaves from theSomaCaves of Shambala. Theywere up in themountainous terrains, hidden from thevillage.Inside,Kalkihadheard,therewerethesomareservoirs,commonlyreferredto by the villagers as the “Gift from theGods”.According to the legends, LordIndra,theGodofthunderandkingofallGods,hadsituatedhimselfinthelandofIndragarh and he had told his celestial servants, the Gandharvas, to spread themedicine across Illavarti to aid theManavs. So far this had been the only suchrepositorydiscovered.

AndthepeoplewhobelievedinsciencesaidtheSomaCaveswerenothingbutshiny, blue stones that had developed due to intense heat and pressure, nothingelse.Theyweren’tmagicalperse.

People had tried extracting the juices from the stone, but many had beenunsuccessful.Thosewhoweresuccessful,theyhadgrowntobeimmortalsorhadgonemad,sothestoriessaid.Butfornow,thecaveshadshutdownasaquakehadcausedboulders toblockthepathway.But thevillagersstillusedtheherbsfoundaround the outskirts of the terrain. The Soma Caves, or popularly known asIndravan,werealsotheholiestplaceforworship,asitwasconsideredthelastplaceLord Indra had stayed in, until his ascension to heaven. The caves had become

almosttoosacred,frighteningandatthesametimegrandioseduringthedaysofthefestivals.

“I still don’t believe you are able to fight all these animals with your barehands,” Lakshmi said to herself, as she slowly massaged the leaf paste over hiswounds.

Kalkihadlearntabouthispowerswhenhewasnineyearsoldandhewasabletograbapoisonoussnakeandsqueezeithardtillitchokedtodeath.Hehadlearnthe wasn’t like other boys. He had powers unimaginably great. His skin wasn’timpermeable to wounds, but his strength was. He had powers greater than thesoldiersofthecity;almostremarkableliketheRakshas,heimagined.ButKalkiwashumbled, especially when his father, Vishnuyath had made him sit down andnarratedtohimwhyhewaslikethat.

“Someareborngreatandsomeembracegreatness.Youareboth.Useitwisely,butdonotrevealittoanyone,formanywon’tunderstandyourpowerandwillbefrightenedofyourpotential.”

“ButwhyamIlikethis?”He looked down, thoughtfully, perhaps searching for the right words. “If I

knewtheanswer,Iwouldhavetoldyou.Butallyoushouldworryaboutistouseitfortherightcause,son,forpowerthisgreatcomeswithagreatprice.Onedayyoumighthavetopayforit,butfornow,useittohelpothers.”

Kalkihadn’tgottheanswerthen.Hehadhiddenthisfactfromhisbrotherandeven hismother, but had been caught picking up a huge boulder effortlessly byLakshmi.Hetoldherthisandshehadsaidtohim,“perhapsyouarethesonofaGod.”

Kalkihadbrusheditaside,alittlebashfully.“I’msuremyfatherisn’tanyGod.He’sadairyfarmer.Perhapshe’stheGodofcows.”

“TheGodofmilk?”And they had laughed, but both of themwere puzzled.Kalki had knownhe

foundafriendinsomeonewhodidn’tjudgehimforbeingwhohewas.“YoustillhavenotgotanyanswersforthepowersIhave,doyou?”heasked.“Iknowyoutoldmetolookupthroughthehistorybooks…”“Orsciencetextbooks.”“Yes,but I couldn’t find anything substantial.Perhaps, there are some things

thatyoudon’tneedexplanationsfororperhapsittakestimetoknowforoneself.You’ll knowaboutwhatever youhave, soon in your life.You justneed towait.”Shepaused.“Didyoufindanythinghere?”

“Bah!Hereoutofalltheplaces?I’mdevoidofanyknowledgehere.Iseekto

escapefather.IfeelIowemyparentsagreatdealandthusI’mstuckworkingonthefarmforthem.”

“It’sokay.”“Ijustwanttoknow.”Hegrittedhisteeth.“Youwill,I’msure.”Kalkiwalkedtothepolishedcopperplatethatwashunginthelivingroomand

sawaburntmarkoverhisrightarm.“Yes,perhaps.”Hehadgottheburnwhenhewasyounger.“Somanyquestions,andsuchfewanswers.”

“Don’tworry,wewillfindit.Fornow,worryaboutgoingback.”Kalki smiled, as he hugged her and made his way out. He saw Lakshmi’s

mother,towhomhewavedashepassedherby.Hewasgoinghomelate.Hehadn’tevengonetoworktoday,thoughtherewas

timetillsunsettofinishsomeleftoverworkonthefarm.Ashemadehiswaytothefield, hepassed a tavernwhere anoldhermit sat, drunkenlyblabbering things tohimself,beforehelurchedandfellonthefloor.

AsKalkihelpedhimgetup,hesawthestrangeeyesofthehermit.Theywerewisebeyondhisvisibleage.

“I’m…I’m…so-sorry,mate.”“It’sallright,man.Areyoufine?”“Asalways,”hegrinnedfoolishly,baringhisrottenteeth.“Ishouldleavethen…”“HaveI…haveIseenyousomewhere,mate?”Kalkismiled.“Idon’tthinkso.Infact,bythelooksofyou,youarenotfrom

here.CamewiththeTribals,perhaps?”“Longlivesthefuture,right?”helaughedandfellagain.This time, Kalki didn’t pick him up. He strolled to the farm, which had a

woodenentranceandhighfences thatdidn’t let thecowsescape.Thefieldswerepasturelandsforthecowsandtherewereshedsattheback,wherethecowsweretied. But as of now, the ground was soaked with blood and the cows haddisappeared.Hesawhisfather’smen,sprawledonthefloor,lifeless.

ThenhesawArjanwhowasatthesideofthestable,whimperingandshaking,withabloodynoseandbrokenlimbs.

“WhereisFather?”heaskedhislittlebrother.“They…theyhavetakenhimaway.”“They…who?”“TheMlecchas.”“TheTribals?”

“No,thebandits,”Arjanlookedathim.

Durukti laidherbrotherdownon thebed, carefullyplacinghisheadon the lushpillowsandlayingalongblanketoverhim.Ithadbeenawhilesincethefeasthadoccurredandmanypeoplehadcomeoutsidetheforttopartakeinthecelebrations.

“Areyoufinenow?”“Better.”“Thedoctorhasgivenmehoneyforyourthroat.”“It’snotcold,”hemourned,“it’sworse.WhenIcough, ithurtsmybodyand

firecoursesinsidemyveins,”Durukti knewKaliwas a lot of things—strategist, clever, and selfish. But he

wasnevertheonetocomplain.Eveninthedirestoftimes,hewouldbebraveandstrong,unlikenow.Shehadtriedallsortsofherbs,butnonehadworked.

“Doctorssayitcouldbeawesterndiseasespreadduringthewar.”“Thesandaffectedme?Whydidn’titgettoKokoandVikokothen?”Durukti shared a glance with her handmaiden, Symrin, who was worriedly

standingattheback.ShefollowedDuruktieverywhere,workingwithhernotonlyonpersonalmatters,but theoverall arrangements for the fort. Symrin shookherheadasshehadnoanswerherselfforKali.

“Perhaps,”Duruktibegan,“theyhavemoreimmunitythanyou,brother.”

“Ohplease,Iamequallystrong.”“Justbecauseyouarestrongdoesn’tmeanyouarefit.”Hemassagedhischest.“Youneedtobeingoodhealthtorunthisstate,otherwisetheTribalswilltake

overandthepeaceyouhavebeenseekingforsolongwilldiewithyou.”“Don’tIknowthat?”hecoughedandwheezed.HelookedatSymrin,andthen

backatDurukti.“Youhavefoundapartner.”“Indeed,”Duruktismiled.“Moreso,afriend.”“Yes,” he glanced again at Symrin. “Do you know, my child, I saved your

mistressfromaburningtown?Wewerestuckinadilapidatedhutandweescapedwithgreatdifficulty.Shewasalmostthreeyearsoldwhenweescaped.”

“Andsavedyourselftoo,”Duruktiproudlyadded.Symrinwithhercherubvoicebegan,“Yes,mylord.Thetalesofyourbravery

havetravelledfar.ButifImaybeallowedtoask,howdidthefirestart?”The smile vanished fromKali’s face.Durukti turned to Symrin. “It is not of

importance.Thepastdoesn’tconcernus,thefuturedoes.”“Truewords,”Kalisaid,withadisarmingsmile.Symrinjustmeeklynodded.Durukti kissed her brother on the forehead and walked out. She didn’t say

anythingtoSymrinuntiltheyenteredtheroom.“ShouldIbringyournightgown,madam?”“Not now,” Durukti sighed as she sat next to the window, pulling off her

earrings. “Never bring up the topic, Symrin. Never let LordKali talk about thefire.”

“Why,mylady?”“Itmight be vanity, but it has a history that no one should know,”Durukti

sighed.“Anyhow,dowehavesomethingonourworktable?”Symrin walked over to the chestnut table which had a fire lamp. She then

broughta register fromthere,onwhich thevillagenamesaroundIndragarhwerewritten. Durukti began to skip through the names as none of them had anyimportance for her. “Almost fifty villages around Indragarh.We need to send amessenger to all of them with a royal decree that the new taxes have beenimplemented.AlsoapocketofVasuki’sarmytohandleanyrebelliousefforts.”

“Goodidea,mylady,”saidtheyounghandmaiden.Duruktipinpointedthenamesofthevillagestheywouldstartwith,asSymrin

noteddownonapieceofpaper.SymrinstoppedatthementionofShambala,whenshelookedupandsaid,“DidyousayShambala,mylady?”

“IfI’mnotmistaken,yesIdid.”“Iremembersomethingabout thatvillage,althoughIdon’tknowhowtrue it

is.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“TheysayShambalawasagiftedvillagebytheGodsandtheyhadleftacertain,

celestial…”Durukti snapped. “Out of all the people in this city, I am the last person to

believethis.”“But it might help you, for Shambala is supposed to have rocks that have

spiritualmedicinalproperties.”Shepaused.“Myfathertoldmeaboutit.Hewasadoctor and in the last days of his life, he had been met by a poor villager, aninhabitant of Shambala who told my father that his wife was ill, so ill by thepregnancy that shewas close to death.My father couldn’t give him anything fortherewas no cure for it.The villagermumbled about themagic rocks known asSomaandaskedmyfatherwhether itwouldwork.Myfatherrefused,sayingtheywereallstoriesandlegends.Thevillagerwentawaydisappointedly.Ayearlater,myfatherhadworkinShambala.Hereachedthereandhemetthesamevillagerwithahappywifewhowasn’tillatall.Infact,sheevenhadason.Fatheraskedhowshewascuredandhehadsaid,‘thelegendswerenotlegends,afterall’.”Shestopped.

Duruktihaddigestedallof this,but it soundedmoreof a childhood fable toher.

“It’ssupposedtocureeverything,”Symrinadded.“Couldthevillagerbelying?”“Perhapsandperhapsnot.”“Soyou saynoonehasused theseSoma rocksbecause theydon’tbelieve in

them?”“They’vebeenclosedoff.Atleastthatiswhatfathersaidsincehehadgoneup

tocheckthecaveshimselfandfoundthemtobeclosedoff.Someoneclearlydidn’twantthemtobeused.”

“Howdowegetinthen,girl?”“We have an army. We can use man power to push through. The villagers

didn’t have the education or the power. They were too superstitious also.” Shepaused.“TheysaySomawouldcureanydiseaseorillness.IjustwonderedwhetheritwouldbegoodforLordKali.”

“Isupposesoaswell,”Duruktimused.“Whatifit’sallunreal,justastory?”“It’sworthatrymylady,sinceLordKali’shealth isdeterioratingbythehour

andwehavenootherchoice.”

Duruktinodded.“Fine,Symrin.I’ll thinkaboutit.Hehasbeensavingmemyentirelife,”shestopped,assheletthemoonlightshoweroverhertranslucentskin,thesmelloffreshly-cutflowersandthehootingoftheowlsaddingtothepleasantaura,whichgaveherasenseofdetermination.

“Ithinkit’smytimetosavehislife.”

Kalkiwaswearingalongcloakwhenheenteredtheforest.Thetricklingoftherainwater,withthesmelloftangerine,wasenoughforKalki

tofeelhewas inaveryalienplace.Thesoundwasharshandcold,andthewindswept againsthimharshly.Hehadwrappedhimself inwarmclothes ashe sat infrontofthefire,acrossfromLakshmi,ArjanandBala.

Bala was a friend of Kalki’s and he was one of the few who knew how tohandle a mace. When Kalki had come to meet Bala for his help to defeat theMlecchas,Balawasbusyknockingoffsomedrunkardswhoweredisturbinginthetaverns.Hewassixfeetnine inches inheight,withaframethatwasheavier thanbothArjan andKalki combined.His facewas coveredwith a thick, bushybeardandhiseyeswerebeadyblack,withastrangecoldnessaboutthem.

Kalkibegan,addressingArjan,“Tellusaboutthem.”Arjannodded.“Theyarrivedridingonhorsesandwerewearingblackclothes.

Theyhadmasksonastheyrampagedandkilledtheoneswhointerfered.Iescapedattherightmoment.Moreso,Iwasnothreattothem.Theyhadweapons,butnottheordinaryswordsweseearoundhere.Thehiltwasthesameastheoneswesawbutthebladewascurvedfromthetop.”

“Ascimitar,”Lakshmianswered.

“Ascimi-what?”Balascratchedhishead.“It’s a backhanded weapon used by the Dakshinis. One slice and it can go

straightthroughyourbones.”“Bones,yousay?Ishallknocksenseintothem,Itellyou.”“Wehave to play smart,” Lakshmi added. “And not dumb.They haveKalki

and Arjan’s father. We need to do it swiftly and carefully since we don’t haveweapons.”

“Umph,”Balagrunted.Playingswiftandcarefulwasn’tpartofhisdictionary,Kalkithought.

“They are most probably cow bandits, looking for food,” Kalki said. “TheyhavebecomemoreprominentsincetheTribals’inclusion.”

“Bloodyoutcasts!Theymustrotanddie,”Balascoffed.“Butwhydidtheywantyourfather?”Lakshmiasked.“Theyneedsomeonetoherdthecows,takeresponsibilitywhiletheyfeaston

them.”Arjanresponded.“Thisismyreasoning.Becauseotherthanthis,Idon’tseeanyotherpointofthekidnapping.”

KalkilookedatArjan,“Howmanycowsweretheyabletotake?”“They managed to get three big ones as the others were hidden inside the

stable.”Kalki nodded. “We don’t have much time, days or hours. Mlecchas are

unpredictable.”“Wedon’tevenknowhowtofindthem,”Balasaid.“Division of labour,”Kalki suggested. “Lakshmi and I will go to the city of

Indragarh,which is aday’s journeyonhorsebackandget theweaponryweneed.YouandArjantrytofindthebandits,butifyoudofindthem,don’tgoheadlongagainstthemoryou’llnotsurviveit.”

Arjannoddedobediently. “I’ll signal you ifwedo find them. Just know theywouldbesomewherearoundthatsignal.”

Kalkipattedhissmartbrother.“Howwillwemanagetogetweaponsfromthecity?”Lakshmiaskedmatter-of-

factly.“Um,”Kalkiclearedhisthroat,“yousaidyouhaveyourauntthere,right?And

sheworksinthegovernment.Soshecanhelpuswiththeweapons.”“Youmeanillegallygivingyouarmyweapons?Uh,no,notgoingtohappen.”“More like borrowing, please,” he pleaded, “for our father. I wouldn’t have

askedyouotherwise.”“Theremustbesomeotherwaythantouseweapons.”

“Anyotherwaythanviolence?Thereisnootherway!”laughedoffBala.“Howdidyougetabigmacelikethathere?”Hehuggeditcloselyasifitwerehischildandkissedthetopofit.“Baba.”“HisfatherandBalaareoneofthefewpeoplewhoactuallycarryaweaponin

thisvillage,otherwise it’s frowneduponhere,”Arjansaid.“Lakshmi, I saw thosepeople.Themoment theyseeus,withoutweapons, theywillkilluswithoutevenblinking. They had no remorse when they killed off our men. And while theSarpanchisdecidingwhattodoaboutit,it’llbetoolate.Wehavetoactindividuallyandfast.”

Lakshmisighedandreluctantlynodded.

GeneralTakshakknockedonLordVasuki’sdoor.Hehadbeenawayfortheentiredayandatnight,buthadbeensummonedatthishournonetheless.Ashestoodidlyoutsidethedoor,hecouldhearthemoansthatcamefrominside.Vasuki,afatherofthree,didn’tcareaboutmatrimonialfidelity.Pleasure,forhim,cameinavarietyofagesandcolours.

Sincethepacthadbeenmade,Vasukiwasconsideredastrongand influentialfigureofoneofthemightiestNorthernstates.Initially,thesecitiesrunbyManavswereoftentheonesthatwouldridicule theTribals,call themnames,discriminateagainst themandspeak ill.Butnow, theywereall respected.Takshakhadwalkedon the streets of theMining Town, up till the Lotus Garden and everyone justwatched him in awe. A Tribal being the head of security for a state? Manavscouldn’tbelieveitwasevenpossibleinthislifetime.

Thoughmostofthemdidn’tknowtheirhistory.JustaftertheBreaking,whentheworldhadcollapsed,andtheplaguehadvanquishedtheremaininglandsofthecountryandthetribes,theTribalsandManavshadworkedtogether.Infact,theywerethesame.TheTribalidentityhadbeencreatedduetopressurebytheinternalpoliticswhenbothof themdiffered.LordShiva,LordVishnu andLordBrahmawere the spiritual leaders of theManavs after the Breaking. They supported the

uppercasteswhiletheothersdidn’t.TheyrealizedtheTrimurtiwasworriedaboutthemanddecidedtodistancethem.TheycalledthemselvesTribalsandtheybuiltsettlements indifferent areas. Soon, the evilsofwarhindered them from forginganylastingattemptsatpeace,andcontinuouswarfareledtotremendouslossesfortheTribals.Egosweretarnished.Theyhidintheroughterrains,thecoldmountainsor the forests.Manycontinued fightingwhileotherskept to themselves,pledgingfor internal penance such as the vanars, whowere theworshippers ofmonkeys.Therewereotherswhobegancannibalism,suchasthepisaches.

Andnowaftersomanyyears,thingshadchanged.Thedooropenedand itwasagirlbarely inher twenties,withanakedframe.

Takshakdidn’tlookatherandhiseyesdartedattheblanketwrappedLordVasuki.“Iapologize.I’llcomelater.”“Pleaseenter,thegirlwasleaving.”Thegirlnodded.Sheputonherclothesandstormedoutoftheroom.“Such a fine ass.”Vasuki laughed as he poured himself somewine from the

sidetable,whereabottleandagobletwereplaced.“Inthistown,there’ssomethingaboutManavgirls.Theyarewild.”

“I’msure,my lord.”Takshakhada straight face.Noneof these trivial thingsmattered,sinceinthecultureoftheNagas,thewarriorsweresupposedtohavenodistraction,butknowledgeandstrength.Austerityandpenancewereforemost.

“Oh Iwish youwould unwind a little andwatch them, but you can’t, for toservicemeyoupaidaheftyprice.”HelookeddowntowhereTakshaka’sprivateswere.“Iwonder,doyoueverregretit?”

“Never,mylord.ServiceforourLordismytoppriority.”“Great,”hesmiled.LordVasukihadaverysharpnose,accordingtowhatTakshakhadnoticedof

him.“How’sourfatfrienddoing?”“Notbeingsuspicious,mylord,”heansweredaboutKuvera,thewretchedman

and the king ofYakshas; the rotten and dirty thieves andmerchants. TheywerehorribleinnatureandTakshakhatedthemmorethantheManavs.

“That’sgrand.Idon’twanthimtoshiftallianceslikethetimehestolethemanifromus.”Helaughed.“Whataprettysight itwaswhenKalimadehimsurrenderthestoneandmadeusallieseventhoughIhatedhim.Buthey,weneededtodoallofthisforachange,didn’twe?”

“Yes,mylord.”“Which makes me come to the main topic,” Lord Vasuki began with a

thoughtfulpose,thesamehewassculpturedinbackattheNaagpuri.“Iwantyouto followVedanta and see if he’s up to something. Leave our fat friend for themoment.He isn’t thepersonweshouldbeworriedabout sincehe’s savouring inthegloryofsweetvictoryrightnow.TheManavisbeingreluctantandfrustrated,andfrustrationcouldleadtoseriousconsequences.Iwantyoutojustspyonhim.Takenomorethantwomenwithyouandstayfiftyyardsaway.Hewillbestartinghis useless journey around the city, promising everyone that everything is alrightand helping them in their daily affairs. But I am certain he will be makingarrangements with someone inside to topple us and I want you to poison thembeforehe’sabletodoit.Oncehegivesusareasontobetrayhim,Kaliwillcarryouthisexecution.”

“Butwhywouldn’thedoitnow,mylord?”“BecauseKaliknowsVedanta’susefulnow.Heneedsafaceforthecitytobe

calmed. After all, no one wants a people’s revolution on our hands just after abattle,amInotright?”

“Yes,mylord.”“Good.”Vasukismiled.“Justdon’tdieonme.YouaretheonlypersonItrust,

myfriend.”Takshaksmiled.HewasjustasoldieroutofmanyforVasuki’sarmy,butwhen

Takshak had single-handedly protected Vasuki’s wife and children back in theirlands; hewas given a stepup. Soon thepost of a general turned into somethingwarmandprecious,forLordVasukihadbecomemorethanjustaleaderforhim.

And with that Takshak bowed and departed from the room, with the newmissionhehadbeenassigned.

Sweat beads began to trickle down Kalki’s chin as he made his way to theSarpanch’shouse.Atthestableoutside,hewasmetwiththesightoftwomuscledmen,whowere dozing late at night.Kalki confronted two horses,who instantlyneighed at the look of the strangers.Kalki hushed at them andwith the help ofLakshmi,hewasabletopullthetwohorsesaside.Thesarpanchofthevillagewastheonlypersonwealthyenoughtohavehorsesathisdisposal.Horseswerequickcomparedtothebullocks;especiallyinthecurrentcircumstances.

Kalki got up on one horse while Lakshmi sat astride the other one. UnlikeLakshmi, he had little knowledge about horses and it took him time to bring itunderhiscontrol.

“Use the reinandpull it towardsyourself tocontrol it, and then slowlypushtowardsthedirectionyouwanttogo,”shewhispered.

Kalkinodded.Hedidn’t like the ideaofstealing fromthesarpanch,whowasnow busy at themeetingwith a newsmonger, discussing the next plan of actionagainsttheseunknownMlecchas.

Ashegotoutawayfromthemusclemen,hetoldLakshmitorideclosetothemeeting, to hear what exactly was going on. From far off, he could see a hugegroup of people, mostly men, standing around the sarpanch, quarrelling and

mumblingamongstthemselves.Kalkihadcamouflagedhimselfintheforestsohewouldbeinvisibletotheeyes

ofthesarpanch,whowouldhaveotherwiseknownthathishorsewasbeingtakenbyadairyfarmer’sson.

“Weshouldleave.”Lakshmi’svoicecamefrombehind.“Shush.”Kalki’sfingersweptacrosshislips.Kalkiheardtheloudrants:“We won’t risk our lives. Let us send a letter to the closest town to get an

army.”“Noonewillgiveusanarmy.I’veheardthatlifeinthisvillageisgoingtoget

tough.”“Weshouldinvestigateourselves.”“Noonecaresaboutus.”Rantscontinued topour in.Oneevenhad theaudacity tosay thatperhaps it

wasn’t theMlecchas, butVishnu himself. “Hemust have run away from his lifebackhere.”

“Nouseofsavinghim,heisprobablydeadalready.”No,heisn’t,Kalkiconvincedhimself.Hehadlearntallaboutthebandits.They

wouldkeep thepersonuntil thepersonwas resourceful to themorat least that’swhathehadbeen taughtat theGurukulduring thewarfareclasses.Theseclasseswere few in number in comparison to health studies, cooking and agricultureclasses,but just themost interestingoneof the lot.Hewasoneof thefewalongwithArjanwhohadbeentotheGurukul,anisolatedtemplethathousedstudentsfrom across the land, fed them and taught them. Kalki had been forced to goinitially,butheunderstoodwhyVishnuwantedhimtostudy.Tosurviveadversity,one must be knowledgeable. Due to that knowledge, he now knew about hisenemy.

Kalkimanoeuvredthehorseandwentupthehill,hiscloakbrushingagainstthetwigsontheforestfloor.Ashecameoutoftheclearing,thesoundofthehooveshadgrownmonotonous.Thetramplingoftheleavesdidn’tannoyhim.Thesmellofflowers,ofvariouskinds,hadimpartedapleasanttouchtothenight.

“Whydoyouneedweapons?Youcanbeatthemsinglehandedly.”“Youoverestimatemystrength.Iftherewasonebandit,Iwould’vedonewhat

yousaid,buttherearemany.Humansareworsethanacrocodilewhenitcomestoviolence.”

“Fine.Howmanydoyouplantoborrow?”“Balasaidhecanmusterupfivemorepeoplefromthetaverntoaidussowe

havemorethanweneed.Asforyou…”“Me?I’llgo?”“Youdon’twantto?”“No,it’sjustthatIneverpresumedyouthoughtgirlsareallowedtofight.”Kalki narrowed his eyes. “Why not? If boys fight, thenwhy can’t girls?”He

pausedwhenshetookhertime.“Soyouplantotakeaheftybitofthelootback?”“Perhaps,” Kalki nodded. But Kalki was apprehensive about using weapons

duringthecombat.“SometimesIregretthatthisvillageisnotverywelldefended.Intheeventofa

surprise battle, how will one survive?” She paused, answering her own questionthen.“Theywon’t.Theyaretooalooftoseetheworldoutside,toonaïvetoknowweliveinunpredictableanddifficulttimes.”

Kalkihadtoagree.Ashemovedforward,miredbythesilenceandmonotonyoftheirjourney,his

mindwasquicklyworkingthroughpossibilities,eventhoughhisheartwassunk.Hehadblamedhisfatherallthetimefortrappinghiminthisvillage,butnowhewasindanger’s path andKalki felt guilty. He wasn’t afraid for he knew his father wasclever,buthe felt guilty for sayingbad thingsabouthimall this time. Itwas thissinking feeling, trapping him into a void of pain.He had last felt like thiswhenArjanhadeatenthewrongberriesandfallensick.Kalkidideverythingtotakecareof him, carrying Arjan every day to the shaman for therapeutic massages andpotions.

He had been angry at his father for not knowing the answers behind hisstrength,hewasangrywhenhisbrotherArjanwasconsideredtheserious,studious,andbetterone.Hewasthe laughingstock.AllofthesethingsmadehimangryatVishnu,butitalsomadehimsad.Hemissedhimmorethananythingnow.Andhewantednothingmorethanhissafereturn.

“Areyouokay?”Lakshmisoftlyasked.Helookedattheroadahead.Itwasempty,andfarinthedistance,thelandmet

the skies,with thewoodson either side seeming to converge at onepoint. “No.No,I’mnot.”

“Wherearewegoing,man?”askedBala.Arjan ignored thequestion, ashe finally steppedclose to thehuthe lived in.

Fromthesoot-stainedwindows,hesawhismotherinthekitchen,sittingaloneinherthoughts.

“Wearesupposedtofindthekidnappers,”Balascowled.“Ihavetomeetmymother,”hesaid.“Youstayhere.”Arjanwalkedinside,openingthetoughdoorwhenhesawhismotherinstantly

standupinrelief.Shehuggedhimandasked,“Didtheygettoknowanythingaboutyourfather?Aretheysendingoutasearchparty?”

Kalki had told him to lie to his mother that they would be assisting andconvincingthevillagersforasearchpartysinceVishnuwasanimportantmemberofthecommunity.

“Yes,wetried.Westillare.”“IsKalkistillthere?”“Yes.”Heliedagain.Lyingwasn’twhathelikedwhenitcametohisinnocent

mother.ButheknewshewouldbetremendouslypainedwhenshefoundoutthatKalkihasgonetothecity;anentireday’sjourney.“Ijustwanttotellyouwewillbeoutthere,lookingforhim.”

Sheclenchedherteethalittlestubbornly.“Don’tstopus,Ma.Letusdowhatwehavetodo.”Hisfingerswerecurlingas

hesaidthis.Hehadbeenneverafraidasmuchashewasrightnow.“Wait,”shesaidandwentbackintheroom.Arjanwaitedashepouredsomewater todrink.By the timehewasdone,he

sawhismotherenteragain,butthistimewithasickleinherhand.“Usethis.”“What?No!”“Youneedsomethingtodefendyourselfsinceyou’llbeoutthere.”Arjan nodded reluctantly, and as he grabbed the agricultural tool, he felt the

heaviness of it, since it would be used for murdering someone rather than toharvestfieldproduce.

“IgotitwhenIworkedonthefarm.It’squitehandy.Islashedalandowner’scheekwhen he tried to harassme,” shemirthlessly chuckled, somethingMotherhardlydid.Butfearforcespeopletospeakabouttheirworstselves.

“I’msureyouwerejustifiedinyourdeeds,Ma.”She grabbed his cheek and came close, her eyes igniting with concern, but

bravadoaswell.“Iwantyoutofindhim,butdonotbeswayed.Youarenotahero.Youareaboy,ayoungboyaddedtothat.Youneedtobesmartratherthanfoolishenoughtoattackthem.”

“Yes,Ma.”She kissed him hard on the cheek. “I’ll pray to theGods, to Lord Indra, to

bestowhisVajraonyou.”Arjandidn’tbelieve in theGods,buthenodded.WithMother’sblessings,he

returnedoutsidetoBala,whohadbeenwaitingwithhisweapon.“Whatwereyoudoinginside?”“Nothing,let’sgoforthemeeting.”“Ithoughtwewerelookingforthebandits.”“First,weneedtoseewherethevillagestandsonthisissue.”Balanodded.With this, they walked on foot to the biggest tree of the village, where the

groupwouldbeassembling,butsurprisinglynoonewasthere.Moreover, thefirelampswereburntoffanditwascompletelyisolated.

Arjanwassurprisedandfranticallyhemadehiswaytothesarpanch’shouse,amultitudeofhutsbuilttogetherincloseproximity.Theonlywaytoenterwasfromtheback,where the stableswere located and from the front, therewas themaindoor.Heknockedonthedoor.

Inalittlewhile,thesarpanchopenedthedoor,flankedbyhismusclemen.“Arjan,myboy,whatapleasantsurprise!”Hewassweating,hiseyessearching

forsomething.“Why isn’t there a search party?” Arjan asked, without even continuing the

charadeofformality.“IapologizeifIseemhasseledmyhorseshavebeenstolen…”“Whyaren’tthereanypeople?”Thesarpanch,Devadatta,hadawispymoustache,withatiredanddishevelled

look.“Wewillstartinthemorning.Atnight,thereisnouse.”“Nouse?Myfather’slifeisatstakeandyousaythere’snouse?”“Thereis…Ineversaid…”Arjanwalkedbackwithouteven listening.Hecouldhear theentreatiesof the

sarpanch,buthedidn’tcare.“ShouldIsmackhishead?”askedBala.Arjanfelthelpless.Noonewasthereandbymorningitwouldbetoolate.He

lookedatBalaashe recalledhowKalkihadbecomefriendswithhim in the firstplace.Theyhadmetduringadrinkingsession.“Youworkatthelocaltavern,don’tyou?”

“Asaguard,yes.Ihavetakendaysoffsoyoudon’tworry…”“No. Not that.” Arjan stopped. “Taverns are occasionally filled with people

who are well-informed. They make it their business to know other people’sbusiness.”

“Range of people, yes. They come from all walks of life for fine sura andmadira.”

“And as a guard, youmeet them often, don’t you?”Arjan asked, his fingerstwitchingashetappedoverhislips.“Allsortsofpeople.”

“Yes.”“Knowthembythefirstname,sometimes?Perhapsinteractwiththem,even?”“Manyaretoodrowsytointeract,butyes,boy.”Hekepthismacecomfortably

restingonhisshoulders.“Whatareyougettingat?”Hishead turned tosee thewiderangeofwoods thatwerebeyondthevillage

huts,wherethebanditsweresupposedtobehiding.“I want you to take me to the person who knows everything about those

forests.”

Arjanhadn’tsleptinthenight.Hehadwanderedtilltheedgeoftheforest,blanklywatching the canopies, thewinds sweeping the leaves as they fluttered.He evenmanaged to goback to his home andwatchhismother sleeping,with dried tearstains on her face. When he did eventually close his eyes, he was pushed bysomeoneandherealizedthatdawnhadbroken,theskieswereblueagainandanewdayhadbegun.ToweringoverhimwasthegiantBalawithhisfavouritemace,thistime casually concealed behind the long cloak he managed to arrange fromsomewhere.

Wryly,hesaid,“Ifoundyourman.”Arjannodded.“Whereishe?”“He’sattheMadira’sChalice.”Arjannodded.Madira’sChalicewastheonlytavern-cum-inninShambalathat

housedvisitors.However,itwasfrowneduponbythereligiousmenofthevillage,especiallythegood-for-nothingsarpanch,whohadbegunthisrebellionagainstthetavern.Personally,hehadn’tbeeninsideofit.Itwasneverreallysomethinghewasfondof, even thoughhewaswell above the statutory ageof entry. Itwasall thedrinking, thepipesmoking,and theretching thatdisgustedhim.Hewouldratherholdontothebookslateatnightandponderabouthistoryandmathematics.But

gettingbooksinShambalawasitselfahugetask,foritdidn’thouseanylibrary.TheclosestonecouldgettobookswereeitherintheGurukulwhichisaquarterday’sride by a donkey cart or at the Wisdom’s Tree, which was also an inn for thetravellerstorestat.Itdidn’tofferdrinksofanysort,butitdidofferdifferentsortsofbooks,astheWisdomTree’sownerwasonceaguruattheGurukul,untilhewasstrippedoffofhispostforreasonsArjandidn’tcaretoremember.

Stilldeepinhisthoughts,herealizedhehadreachedthetavernanditseemed…quiet.Thereweren’tanysongsbeingplayedbythemusiciansortheusualhumdrumofpeople. It still had drunkards snoring to glorywith half-empty glasses in theirhands. Arjan walked towards the back while Bala guided him to enter the darkroomandmaketheirwaytothestairs,ascendinguntiltheyreachedthefirstfloor.Theplacewaslitteredwiththeparaphernaliatypicallyfoundincloisteredinnsandtaverns.

“Wheredidyoufindagoodguideinaplacelikethis?”“WhereelsewouldI,boy?”Balameeklyasked.Arjan reached the balcony which was flanked by stone columns and had a

wooden,almostburnishedfloor.“Ioftenwonderhowonemanagedtohavesomuchmoneyforthis.”“Theownerwasanuppercastenoble,”Balaresponded.“Thehighbornsthat

tookmoneyandboughtthispieceofland.Theheadofthisdamnvillagecouldn’tdobonesaboutit,forhehadpoliticalinfluencebackinghim.”

“That’swhythesarpanchjustdisownedtheplace.”“Ofcourse.”Bala reached out to the drunkardwhowas still gleefully imbibing the spirits.

Balaslappedhimhard.“KRIPA!KRIPA!”“Eh, eh.” His eyes opened fully and he yawned and burped. “Wow, what a

madnessthatwas!”“It’sme.”“Ohhello,friend,”hegrinned.“Whatadisturbingsighttowakeupto.”He had a black beard and wrinkles all over his face. He wore clothes that

appeared scorched and torn in places, although therewere no visible injuries onhim.Arjannoticedallofit,withhisfingersdancingonhislipsthoughtfully.

“Bala,youdidn’ttellmeourguideisawarrior.”“Warrior?Thisdrunkard?”Balaslappedhimontheheadagain.“Hello!”snarledKripa,butthenretractedhisoutstretchedhand.“Howdidyou

know?”“Notmanycarrywoundsaroundhere.”

“Youcaughtme,”Kripagrinned,withhalfofhisteethmissing.“ImighthaveaddedmyvalourinafewoftheNorthernwars.”

“That doesn’t concern us. What Bala says is you are quite adept in yourknowledgeaboutthewoodsofShambala.”

“Whatcan I say?Thevillage is like ahome tome,mate.”He laughed.“Andwhenyoudon’tknowyourhome,youdon’tknowyourself.”

Balajustgrowledashecrisscrossedhisarmsacrosshistorso.“Wouldyoubyanychancehelpustofindthebandits?”“The bandits?What bandits?” Kripa turned to Bala. “You said the boy just

wantedtoknowaboutthewoods.IsaidIknewaboutthewoodsandyousaidallrightandthatwasaboutit.Nothingaboutthegodforsakenbandits.”

“Well, it isaboutbandits,” saidArjanpromptly.“Themanwhoknowsaboutthewoodsalsoknowswhatcreatureslurkinthere.”

“Iamsureaboutrabbitsandrodents,nothingmuchelse,mates.”“DONOTLIE!”Balaslappedthelargemaceonthetable,frighteningnotonly

Kripa,butalsoArjan,whojustbackedoff.Thetablebrokeintotwopieces.“Uh,shat,sorry,”hebackedoff.“Thatshouldn’thavehappened.”

Arjansighed.“It’sallright.So,myman,areyoureadytofightsomebanditsorgetbeatentoapulpbythisman?”

Kripa’s sunken eyes glowered. “The bandits come from the culture ofMlecchas.Now,mate,doyouknowwhotheMlecchasare?”

“I’vereadaboutthem.”“Oh, but reading and meeting them are two vastly different projects,” he

growled.“YouseeMlecchas aren’t just your average forestdwellerswhopreyonmeat.Theyarevicious,withallsortsofweaponsattheirdisposal…”

“Mybrotherisbringingweaponsforustofightagainstthem.”“Fight?” Kripa sniggered. “Let me tell you something. The Mlecchas are

unorganized,disorderly,havenoleaderandpreyonthevillagersbecausetheycan’tfightback.Theyrangefromnoblestosoldiersofthecitywhohavebeenwronged,disbanded and sometimes they are the convicts, the murderers, the rapists,kidnappers—all stuck together like a bandwith one common agenda: to surviveandtospreadviolence.AndfromwhatI’vegarnered throughmyexperience, theunorganizedonesaretheworst.”

Arjanleanedforward.Hecouldfeelthetensionbuildingandheunderstoodtheconsequences well, but he saw one goal in front of him—to save his father.Nothingelsemattered.“Theveryfactthattheyhideintheforestshowsthattheyarecowards.”Hepausedashepulledouttwosilvercoins,tossingthemovertothe

table.“I’mnothiringyoutofrightenme,buttoworkwithme.Onceyoushowmewheretheycanbe,youaresetfree,allright?”

“Fine,justthesearchingandthat’sit.”Kripalookedatthesilversashepickedthemup.“Yourbrotherwenttothecityforweapons?”

“Yes,” he leaned back; surprised thatKripa had hung on to that fact. “Whydoesitbotheryou?”

“Itdoesn’treally,butitmakesmewonderifhewillsurvivetoreturnfromthecity,asitisn’tthesameanymore.”AtoothlessgrinappearedagainonKripa’sface.

Kalki opened his eyes to find himself staring at the bright sky.He felt his armstangled into somethingand realizedhewas lyingwith someone.He swivelledhisheadtofindLakshmi,cuddlinguptohim,herfacehiddeninthecrookofhisarms.

Howdidweenduphere?Hecranedhisneckalittle,enoughtonotwakeherupandenoughtoscanhis

surrounding, realizing the horses were tied to the trees and they still had asignificantamountofpathtogo.

Musthavebeentiredwhileridingandtakenabreak.KalkimadeshortworkofdelicatelyawakeningLakshmisincetheydidnothave

toomuchtime.Sheawokeatonce,flustered.“Iwassupposedtoguard,notsleep.”“Guard?Whathadhappened?”“Youhadbegundozingonyourhorse,whichiswhenItiedyourhorsetomy

horse.ThenIrealizedIwasgrowingexhaustedmyself. Iwaitedfor themorning,butperhapsImusthavegonetosleeptoo.”Sherubbedherhead.

“Ilikedit.”Lakshmididn’tsayanything,butjustturnedherfaceawayfromhim.Kalkigot

upandwenttothehorse.“Iseethepinetrees,”shesaid,coughing.“Weareclose.”

“That’sgreat.”Kalki glanced at her once again before they began drawing the horse to the

main roads and began travelling towards the city. Silence had crept in betweenthem.Kalki could see carts and bullocks, as well as people travelling to the cityfromother villages.But he also saw the city gateswere adjacent to a long stonebridge,wherewell-built soldierswere reading frompiecesofpaperbefore lettinganyoneenter.

“Whataretheydoing?”“Toll.Thesecurityhasbeenincreased.Butwhy?”“TheTribals,”hesaid.From afar, the city looked beautiful, larger than life, like a painting from a

talentedartist.Ithadvariegatedshadesrangingfrommaroontopurple,withlargebuildings,fortsandroadscrisscrossingthetapestryoflivelihoods.Itwastoobigforhimtoevengraspwhereitended,forIndragarhlookedlikeitendedonlywherethehorizondid.

Kalki had been to Indragarh when he was younger. But he subsequentlydeclined to travel for he felt city life was not made for him. He was made forsomething far greater than the life in these lanes, crowded by the military andpeople from various ends of Illavarti. It was lethargy as well, for he felt a day’sjourneywasn’tworth it.UnlikeArjanwho alwayswanted to explore the endsofeducationforhekneweducationwouldbeat itsfinest inthecity,Kalkihinderedhimselfwithhislethargy.

“OhGod,”shewhimpered.“Whathappened?”“It justdawnedonmethat Ihave toaskmyaunt fora favour.Weare really

doing this.We really bloody are.” She took deep breaths. “I don’t even know ifshe’llsayyes.”

“Don’tworry,shewill,onceyoumakeherunderstandthecrisis.”“Whatifshedoesn’t?”Kalkihadn’tthoughtofthat.Whatif?Itwasabigifwhichhestruggledtonot

dwellover.“Let’sjustworryabouthowtoenterthecity.”Asthehorsesslowedtomergewiththefoottraffic,theyglancedatthepeople

andcreaturesaroundthem.ItwasweirdforKalki;hehadheardabouttheTribals,butneverseenthem.Hehadheardhowtheylooked—dangerous,stoutanddark,buttheywereanythingbutthat.Someofthemseemedcivilizedandnice,butmostofalltheylookedhuman.OnlyanameseparatedthemfromManavs.Howrumourscanruinaperson’sreputation!

They reached the heavy gates, where chainmail-vest-clad Nagas stood withswordsfastenedtotheirbelt.Kalkiwascomingupwithallthebelievableexcusesinhismind.

Whenhisturnarrived,theNagawhohadlong,mattedhairaskedKalki,“Whatisyourbusiness?”

“Ahwell,wearesupposedtodropoffsomegemsforouruncle,”liedKalkiinaverygarbledaccent.

TheNagaglancedattheothersoldiers.“Youraccentseemsoff.Whereareyoufrom?”

“TwoShields,youmusthaveheardofit,innit?”“Uh,no.”TheNagawasembarrassed.Ahwell,howwouldhe?Kalkihadjustmadeitup.“I hope you let us get onwith our business sincewe need to reach back by

sunset.”TheNaga soldierwavedhimoff. “Not happening till you showme a signed

letter given by your village headman.” Kalki noticed how the Naga accent wasalmostraspylikeasnake.

“A signed letter? My lady, do you have a signed letter?” Kalki looked atLakshmi.

“Uh,no.”“Isupposewedon’thaveitthen.”“WehadsentalettertoeveryvillageintheIndragarhprovincethattoenterthe

city,onemusthavepermissionfromtheheadman,stampedinorder.”“Idon’tthinkwegotthatdamnletter.”“ThenI’msorryyouarenotallowedtoenter,nowgetoffthebridgeandletthe

otherscome.”Kalkiclenchedhisfist.Hecouldheartherantsandgrumblesfromthebackfor

first cutting into the line and then taking somuch time. He looked at Lakshmigravely.“JustleaveforyourauntassoonasI’mgoingtodowhatI’mgoingtodo,”hewhispered.

“Whatareyougoingtodo?”“What’snecessary—distractthem.”He turned to theNaga. “Sorry for this.”Hebegan touse the cloth thatwas

hangingatthebackofhishorse’sstraddle.Hebegantocoverhisfacewithit.“What?”theNagaasked.Kalki punchedhim in the face. It knockedhimoff.The crowdbehind them

gasped.TheotherNagapulledouthisswordasKalkikickedathim,whileseated

atopthehorse.Thehorseyelpedandput itshooves intheair.Kalkirealizedthatthe Nagas from the gates were following him, by getting on their horses andmaking their way through the thronging crowd. Kalki, in that moment ofdesperation,yelledatLakshmi,“GO!”

Kalkiwasnowstandingonthehorse.HehadcrossedstreetsandbazaarswiththeNagaschasinghimfromallsides

andheknewthatbeinginthecityonahorsewouldleadtohiseventualcaptureandthenbeheading,whichheclearlydidn’twant.Hewanted to jumpover toa first-storeybuilding,hopingtoescapefromthere.

Butitwasn’teasy.Ashewasstrugglingtobalanceonthehorse,aNagaappearedrightnexttohis

horse.HehadalongswordaimedatKalki.Kalkihadbeenbalancingonthebackofthehorse,whichwasmovingreallyfast,buthenoticedthefastthrustsbeingmadewiththelongsword.

“Youaresodead,villageboy!”Kalki felthis feetwereabout to leave thehorse.Hedecided to jumpfrom it

whenhesawtheperfectopportunity.What lay infrontwasasmallbridgewitharoadthatledunderneathit,toashorttunnel.

Andsohejumped,hopinghehadmadethecorrectcalculations.With a sickening lurch, he threw himself on the ground and rolled over, the

rough stones snagging at his cloak and ripping his clothes.Meanwhile, theNagasmackedhisheadagainstthesideofthebridge,unabletocontrolhismomentum.

“Takethat,”Kalkigrinned.Butherealizedmorehorseswerecomingonhisway.Hesprintedawayfrom

the bazaar wheremost people were, as hemade his way to the lanes where theclotheswerebeinghung.ThehorsesatthebackstoppedandtheNagasfollowedonfoot.

Kalkigrabbedholdofthewalls,jumpingacrosswindowsanddoors,ascendingwitheachjump.Ashereachedthetop,herealizedtheNagaswerestillbehindhim,thoughtheyhadfallensignificantlybehind.

Atthetopofathree-storeybuilding,hefoundhimselfcorneredagain,asNagasfromeachendstartedtowardshim.Hesawaropethathadwashedclotheshungonit.HegrabbeditandbegantomakealoopoutofitastheNagasstruggledtoreachhim.He reached the far endof theparapet and tossed the loopacross thebuilding.Hesawpeoplewerewatchinghimfromdownstairs.Theloopdidn’tcatchanythingconcrete.Hetriedagain,butbythistime,thesoldiershadappearedclosetohimwiththeirswordsdrawnout.

Hethrewthelooponceagainanditdidn’treachtheotherend,butfelldownontheroad.

“Damn!”“Youcannotgetawaynow,imposter!”That’swhen he realized the rope had tugged back hard, as if it had grabbed

ontosomething.Hesawtherewasachariotbelowhim.“Youwish,” laughedKalki ashe leapt fromthe three-storeybuilding, andon

thetopofthechariot,untilhecrashedinside.Inthemidstofthebrokenwoodanddust,hesawawomanwithmakeupand

expensiveclothes.Shewasprobablyanoblewoman.“Hellothere,sorrytodisturbyou.”“Whoareyou?”“I’mnotarobber,don’tworry.”Heheard the soldiers’ cries frombehind. “But I need to steal this, so if you

don’tmind…”The ladywasstillstunneduntilshegatheredherwitsandbegantoyell.Kalki

cameforward,grabbingthelashesofthethreehorsedchariot.Itwasn’treallybig,butitwouldbefast.Heslappedthewhipoverthehorseanditrushedforward.

“Yeah!”he smiledas thehorses raced in themidstof thebazaars,destroyingmostofit,passingbytheshopsaswellasthesoldiers.

HesawtherewereNagasoneachendtryingtocatchuptohim.Theyjumpedfromthehorseandontothechariot.Withthewhiphehadforthehorse,heused

itonthem.Onesoldierevenmanagedtositnexttohim,tryingtotakecontroloverthereins,butKalkididn’tallowit.Hepunchedhiminhisside,dodgedtheswordandthenpushedhimoffthechariotasherolledovertheground.Kalkiheldoffthereins and then crashed the chariot to the building by the side. From there, hejumpeddown, rolling towards the river that ran inside the city.The chariot keptmoving,andtheNagaskeptfollowingitwithoutrealizinghehaddodgedthem.

Kalki triumphantlypreenedashewalked inside thegullywhenhe realizedhehadnoideawheretogonow.Heremovedhisfacemaskandtossedthecloakaway.

Hecameonthemainroadnowashesawthechariothewasmovingonhadbeen stopped by the Naga soldiers, who were trying to find where he haddisappeared.Kalki stood in the huddle of people who had crowded around thisscene.

Nagasoldierswerecomingaround,askingeachmemberofthecitythatstoodthere,whethertheyhaveseenamaskedman.OneNagacameuptoKalkiwithafranticlookonhisface,hisblueeyesshimmeringwithintensity.“Haveyouseenafigurewithablackcloakandaturbancoveredface?”

“Cloak?”Kalkishookhisheadinnocently.“Sorryno,Ihavenot.”

Arjanwasfollowingtheso-calledguideacrossthewoods,withBalabehindhimtokeephimincheck.KripahadacertainqualityabouthimwhichArjanfeltwasveryunnecessary in this situation—and that was being pessimistic. He constantlycribbedabouthowtheyallweregoingtodie.

Balahadshushedhimonacoupleofoccasions,butthatdidn’twork.Astheywentdeeper intothewoods, thecanopiesgrewthickerandwiththat, it ledtonosunlightilluminatingthepathaheadofthem.

That was when Kripa stopped them. He carefully crouched down and thatentiredrunkenswaggerhaddisappearedfromhisbodylanguage.Now,heseemedcalculativeandurgent.Hetouchedthegrass,rubbedthemudbetweenhisfingers,smelledthesurroundingairandwithaflickofhiswetfinger,hetriedtofigureouttheairmovement.

“Theyarehere,oratleastcloseby,mate.”Arjanstoodonalert,hislegsandarmtightwithtension.“Howfar?”Kripa didn’t answer. Rather he trudged forward and opened up a large bush

withhisbarehands,inbetweentwomammothsizebambootrees.“Comehere.”BalaandArjancameforward.Arjanwasthefirstonetogaspatthesightofthe

clearing,where thesunwasbrightestandthe treeswere less.Theclearinghadallsortsofflowers,withaburningfirethatwasn’ttoobrighttoattractattention.Therewerestallions,thickandfirm;notliketheonesArjanhadseenclosetoGurukulorevenatthesarpanch’shouse.Thesehorseswerefedwell.Therewerethreepurpletents,hammeredtotheground.AndhesawtheMlecchasinperson,wellandclear.Theyhadinitiallybeencoveredwithsilkencloaksandmasksbutheretheylookedjusthuman.Afewhadscarsandbruiseswithscorchedclothesandwerebetterinphysique than the ordinary village folks.Bala could perhaps take twoof them atmostatonego.

Hecouldn’tseehisfatherandforawhile,hethoughtthathehadbeenkilledand buried. But then he saw his father in chains, wearing the same clothes asyesterday,comingoutofthetentwithamanwhohadhairlikethorns.Vishnuandthebandit talked toeachother, the thornyhairedonespeakingfor themostpartbeforehetookhimtotheside,wheretheremainingcowswere.

“It’sanevilpractice,”Arjanbegan,“ifaBrahminmurdersacowwithhisownbarehands.”

“That’sjustancienthistory,mate,”Kripasaid.“Everyoneeatscowsnow.”Arjannoddeddistastefullyastheybackedoff,hopingtonotgetcaught.“Wellyousawit,nowIshouldleave.”Kripabegantomove,whenBalalayouthishandtostophim.“Notsofast,”Arjansaid.“Whathappenednow?”Kripaaskedirritably.“Ididwhatyouaskedmetodo

andIbroughtyoutothemenwhokidnappedyourfather.Nowifyoudon’tmindmysuggestion,lethimbelikethat.Youcan’tsavehim,justsoyouknow,mate.”

“I didn’t care about your opinion.Not then, and definitely not now,” Arjanraised his brow. “I don’t even know when Kalki will return,” he mumbled tohimself.“WhatshouldwedoBala?”

“Smashthem?”Balasuggested.Arjanhadafitoflaughter.Itwashonestlyrelievingtoseehisfatheralive,but

thecowsweregrowingless innumberandtheydidn’thavea lotoftimeontheirhands.

“Youdon’tsuggestwebattlethemall?Thatwouldbeworsethandeath.That’llbetorture,mate.”Hesaid.“Especiallywiththeleaderofthisclique.”

“Leader?”“Thethornyhairedman?Youdidn’tnotice?”“That’stheoneInoticed,yes,”Arjansaid.“Whatabouthim?”“Oh, his name is Keshav Nand. When I was in the city, minding my own

businessandbeingthehumbledrunkardIam,Ihadseenthisdecreebeingpastedonthewalls.Icaredtolookatitandlearntitwasthisman,”Kripasignalledattheback,“he’sawantedman,justsoyouknow,afterheescapedtheprison.”

“Whatwasheconvictedof?”Swallowinga lumpofnervousness,Kripaanswered,“Mostlykillings,yes.But

uhwellkillingsofchildrenandwomen,sothatistheworstkind.Hewasamadmanaccordingtothedecree.Hehasadaggerwithmanycurvededges.Ihaveheardithelpedhimtocutthehumanfleshnicelyandtenderly.”

Hepaused.“Makes me wonder though why he has taken your father as a hostage,”

thoughtfullyKripamused.“Iamjustsaying,heisn’tamanyoushouldpickafightwith.Killersofthissort,theyhaveneitherremorsenoranyunderstandingbehindtheiractions.Forthem,itismerefun.”

Arjansaw theskies turningdusky.Theeveningwasbound todescendatanymomentandhehadnotimeathisdisposal.

“Ihaveaplan,”hesaid.“Aplan?Well, everyonehasaplan,mate,until theyarehitwithablade,”he

said,“andinyourcaseyoudon’tevenhaveashieldorabladetodefendyourself;even if you knowhow to defend yourselfwhich I’m sure you don’t, so the bestoptionyouhaveistobeonyourway.”HelookedatBala.“Butiftherewerethreeofthemlikehim,therecouldhavebeenachance.Therearetenbanditsoutthere,allviciousandtrainedandyouarejustaprettyboywithatoughboywholoveshislittletoydearly.Nowletmeputthisplainly;whodoyouthinkwillwin?”

Arjan smiled after the long and arduous speech,which he filtered out of hisears.“Whosaidweneedweaponstowin?”

“Noweapon?Eh,boring!”Balaexclaimed.“Yes.”“Andwhatdoyouproposeweshouldkillthemwiththen?Sticksandstones?”Arjanlookedatthetrees.“Notreally,butwithropesandbranches.”Hesmiled.

When Takshak learnt the masked figure had ruptured and destroyed the entiretown, made fools out of his men, he came forth and slammed the map ofKeekatpur,whereIndragarhwasthecapital.Hebegantochalkouttheplacesandmagnify on the position of the east, south andwest, as the north led up to thecolderregionswherethesustainabilityofvillageswasn’taprobability.

AndwhenhedidtrytofindTwoShields,nothingturnedup.Ofcourse.Helied.“Havewehadanydispleasurefromanycitizen?”TakshakaskedhisLieutenant

Ulupi.“Anyrobbingincidents?”“Nonewhatsoever,sir,”saidUlupi.UnlikeTakshakwhohadhislonghairwindedintoatopknot,Ulupihadshort

hairlikegrassblades.Hehadthesameinherentsapphireeyes,butameekexterior.Takshakdidn’tmindUlupiforhisexterior,forhismindplayedwell;unlikeotherswhowerejustbrazenandbrawnyontheoutside.

“Have the gates double checked and do not let anyone in, except for thechariotsoftheoneswhoworkforthepalace,”Takshaksaid.“Iwanttofindandexecutethisperson.”

“Allright,sir.”

Thatwaswhenoneoftheguardsenteredthewarroom.“Sir,thebirdhasexitedthenest.”Takshaknodded.Takshak left the room, sayinghehadpersonalwork.He took twoofhis less

armedguards,forhedidn’twanttoattractanyattention.Thenighthadcomeforthandhewasalreadyseeingthestarsnow,andtheyweremore innumberthanthepreviousnight.Takshakhadathingforthestars.

Takshakhadtheintruderinhismind,buthealsohadtotakecareoftheworkVasukihadgivenhim.HewasnowontheroadandhadbeenontheeastsideofIndragarhclose to thePeepalStreet,while allof thehumdrumwashappening inthesouth,sohehadnopossibilityofknowingit.Butonethingthevillageintruderhad donewellwas to disrupt themerchant practices of theYakshas, in the veryplacewherethebazaarwasbeingheld.EverythinghadbeendestroyedandTakshakhadaplastic,widegrinwhenheheardaboutit.

HehadseenVedantaandhowhe travelledacross thestate talking topeople,grantingtheirwishes,givingoutcharityandpromisingabetterfuture.Thiswasthethirddayoffollowinghim.Andthenhehadgonetoaninnandhadn’tcomeout…untilnow.

ThebirdwashimandthenestwastheInn.Takshakgotoffofhishorseandconcealedhimselfinthesidelane,awayfrom

themulti-storiedinn.Takshakthenwentacrosstheroadandinsidetheinn.Asheentered,everyoneinthelobbyjuststoodup,eventhemanagerwhowas

sittingbehindthewoodencounter.Takshakslowlywalkedinthefrontwithhistwoguards,histunicflappingatthe

back,withhishandaroundthesheathedblade.“HowcanIhelpyou,GeneralTakshak?”themoustachedmanagerasked.Soheknewabouthim.“I’mcuriousaboutyourlatestvisitor.”“KingVedanta?”“Yes.”Hetappedonthecounterashesignalledhisman.Theguardhandedafewsilversonthecounterwhichthemanagerjuststaredat.“I’msorry,sir,Iamnotallowedto…’Takshakdidn’tsmile.Heheldhisgaze.“Allright,”henodded,lookingaround,

seeing some of the travellers seated in the lobby reading books and chatting. “Ihave been told by an informant that there is an involvement of soliciting at thisinn.”

Themanagergasped.“No!No,sir!Thoseareoutrageouslies!”

“Allright,”Takshakdidn’tcareashelookedathisguards,“takeallthekeys.”The guards came behind the counter, pushing the weakmanager against the

wallastheygrabbedthelong,bronzekeys.“Waithereandmakesurehedoesn’tescapesincehe’sgoingtofacea lockup

today.”Themanagerpleadedwithhim,butTakshak turnedablindeye tohimashe

walked upstairs. At the first storey, he began to open doors.While some of thetravellerswerealone,otherswerewiththeirlovers.Takshakdidn’tcareabouttheirprivacyasheopenedeverydoor tillhecameto thefinaloneonthe topfloor. Ithadtwodoors,oneperhapsforthebalcony,overlookingtheentirecity.

Takshak opened that and found a figure standing with his back towardsTakshak.

“Stateyournameandbusinessinthistownforamandatorycheckup…”andthenhis voice trailed offwhenhe saw a familiarmongoosewrapped around thefigure’shead.

No.“Isthatanothernameforspyingnow?”Thesleek,slimyvoicewastoofamiliar.“Kuvera,”hesighedalittlebreathlessly.TurningtowardsTakshak,thefatman,andtheheadofYakshasgrinnedathim.

Hehadthick,bushybrowsmakinghimugly,buthadnobeardandwashairlessontherestofhisbody.

“Howdoyoudo,mygoodfriend?”“Iamnotyourfriend,”Takshakcameforward.“Whatwasyourbusinesswith

theking?”“Now,that’sVasukispeaking,notyou.”Hesmiled,“butifyouaresoeagerto

knowthewhythenyoumightaswelljustaskhim.”Hegaveaslightnod.Takshak turned to see Vedanta with his brusque, slightly obese figure, and

belatedlynoticedaheftyandbeardedmanenteringtheroomandwithoutawordstabbing a serrateddagger across his arm and then sliding it down, rupturinghisarteries.

“Ugh,that’sbloody,”saidKuvera.Takshakfellonthefloor.“W-w…”“Thesnakeshitistryingtospeak,”Vedantasaid.Kuverawalkedcasuallyandcrouchedalittle.“Speak,darling.”“W-w-why?”Kuveragrimaced.“Why,eh?Well,whereshouldIstart?ButevenifIdo,I’m

sureyou’llnotevenlivetohearit,soit’snouse.AllIcansayismeandVedanta,wehavemutualinterests.”

Kalki had been leaning against a building wall as night had fallen. He had beenwaiting forLakshmi outside theGovernmentResidence, hoping she’d exit but ithadbeenhoursandhewasunabletoevenentertheplace.Hebegantotakeastrolland then quickly decided to take a short nap. Suddenly there was a sound, thesoundofbrokenwood.

Helookedupandsawafigure.Itwas likeadream,asthefigurewasfloatingandsoonKalkirealized,itwasn’tsowhenitdroppedinfrontofhim.

SurelytheGodsdidn’tsendhimforme.Kalkifeltguiltyforfeelinghumorousatthis juncture,buthemadehiswayto

thebodyand realized itwas aNaga since therewere thenoticeable eyes and theinkeddesignoverhisarm.Butashenoticed thedesign,hesaw itwasmoreofarattlesnakethananordinaryone.

Mustbeofthehigherauthority,butwhywashehere?Kalkilookedupagainandtherewasnoone.Hefelt forhispulse,buthedidn’t findone.Hehada long, fatalgashonhis

arm,theonlyplacewherehewasn’tcoveredbytheironarmour.What’sgoingonwiththiscity,damnit?“Hey,you!”heheardsomeonespeak.

HelookeduptofindtwoNagasstandinginfrontofhim.“Whatareyou…”oneofthemgrewsilentwhentheysawthecorpse.“IswearIfoundithere,itfellfrom…”Theoneguard,inhorror,swepthishandacrosshismouthashesaidtoanother

innothingshortofafrightenedwhisper,“It’sthegeneral.”“Fell?” The other pulled his blade out, instantly alerted. “Do not move,

murderer.YoushallbehangedforkillingGeneralTakshakofIndragarh.”“What?No,Ididn’tdo…”Thebladewaspokedathim.“Don’t you dare speak again,” the other one who was checking Takshaka’s

pulsenowcontinued,“theboyevenhasbloodonhiscloth.Hemustbegivenawaytothewolves,takehimtoLordVasuki.”

“LordVasuki…no…”“Handsattheback.”Reluctantly,Kalkididashewasorderedwhilehewastiedwithropesbehindhis

back.“Iwillwaitherewhileyoucallfromtheheadquarters,”thesoldiersaidtothe

other.“Andkeepthissuspectinthelockupuntilweareclear.”“Youwillregretthis,”Kalkiadded.But he was still pushed around with the Government Residence in the

background,driftingashewalkedfurther.Hewasgettinglateandhehadtoreachbysunrise,otherwiseitwouldcausehimhisfather’slife.Hetookadeepbreathandtriedtoreasonwiththeguard,butitwastonoavail.

“Iwillgiveyoumoney.”“Bribingaguardisastrictoffence.”“I’llgiveyoumoneytoavoidthataswell.”“All themoney in theworld can’t save you. Youwere standing over a dead

officer’s body. You knowwhat the punishment for that is?Death. As simple asthat.”

“That’s a quick judgment to pass. I’m glad you aren’t applying for thejudiciary.”

“WhosaysIhaven’t?”“Ohyouhave,mymy.”HesawachariotexitingfromthegatesoftheGovernmentResidencejustthen,

anditwasnoneotherthanLakshmi.Evenfromfar,hereyesandhersculptedfacewasvisible.

“Ineedtogo…myfriend…”

“Yourfriend,eh?Kalki had had enough. He stopped and clenched his fist and with as much

forceashecouldmuster,hetoretheropesapart.Theguardinstantlygotalarmed,butKalkipaidnoattentiontohisshiveringblade,heldbyweakhands.Hegrabbedhimbythecollarandpulledhimup.

“Itoldyou,youwerecommittingabadmistake.Sorry.”Andwithashove,hepushedtheguardtenyardsaway.

Kalki rushedacross theemptystreet to thechariot,whosereinswereheldbyLakshmi.

“Yougotavehicle?”“Myauntgaveittome.”“Isuspectshegaveyoutheweaponsaswell.”Lakshmi signalled at the back.Kalki pulled up the ornate curtains and there

wereallsortsofshields,swords,daggers,javelinsandbowswitharrows.“Howdidyouconvinceher?”“Oh,that’smysecretpower,saddleup.Sheeventoldmeawayoutofthecity

thatisn’tguardedwelltillnow,sowecansneakoutfromthere.”Kalkisatup.“I’mready.”“All right, also I want to know for sure if everything went all right as you

sacrificedyourself…uh…holdon…isthatblood?”Kalkilookeddown.“Uh,yeah.”“Don’ttellmeyoukilledsomeone.”“Ohno.”“Whathappenedthen?”“We have a pretty long journey,” Kalki wiped the sweat beads off of his

forehead.“Ithinkwecandiscussthatduringthecourseofit.”

Vishnuyathhadbeenexhausted.Hedidn’trealizehewouldhavetoworkatnightaswell,cuttingoffthefat,searingtheloinsandthenchoppinguptheleftovermeat.Vishnuyathhadrecommended leaving thecutaway tenders for twoweeks,mostlycoveredwith icetobringoutthesoftness,andeliminatetherawness,butKeshavdidn’t listen. He had a cleft lip with hair that resembled mini-sized daggersprotruding from his skull. He spoke awkwardly, and if anyone would even bymistakechuckleorgrin,hewouldsufferconsequences.

VishnuyathhadtrainedhimselftosurvivethisturmoilwhenhetoldKeshavheknewhowtotakecareofacow,butKeshavhadtosparehisson,Arjan,inreturn.

“Weonlyneedoneofthem.”Keshavhadsaidglancingatthefatherandson.Vishnuyath was perplexed by the statement and by the time he had been

bound,Keshav’smenreachedforArjantokillhimwhododgedtheirattacksandescaped. The night had begun to fall and Keshav ordered his men to leave thepremises,forgettingArjan.KeshavmadesureeveryonewhowitnessedtheinvasionwascutapartjustlikethecowsVishnuyathwasgoingthroughnow.

Andnow,hehadbeenforcedtohelpthem,beingtheirchefforreasonsonlyKeshavknew.Hewassotiredofdoingthissinfulactofcowslaughteringthatheeven tried to escape, but to no avail as Keshav’s guards stood at every place.

VishnuyathhadheardthatMlecchasdon’ttakesurvivorsandheretheyweredoingtheopposite

Vishnuyath didn’t feel great about it.With each cut hemade to the cow, heclosedhiseyesandprayedforforgivenesstoGoddessKamadhenu.Buthehadtodoitforsurvivalandforhisson’ssurvival.Itwashorrible,heknew.Witheachcut,Vishnuyathhadtostopthebloodthatflowedalloverhisclothes.Luckily,Keshavwaskindenoughtogivehimalongpieceofclothtocoverhimselfwith.

“Whydidyouleavethetongueout?”Keshavasked.Vishnuyath realized he was standing behind him. Keshav crouched and

whisperedinhisears,“cutthetongueforme.”With a disgusted frown,Vishnuyath pulled out the severed head of the cow,

first slicing its tendonsand thenpullingout the tongue, slashing itwith the thickknifehehadbeengiven.

“Giveittome.”The smell of the dead cattle disgustedVishnuyath.The entire clearingof the

woodshadbecomedirtywithallthelitteredcarcassandentrails.“ShouldIheatitup?”Keshav didn’t care to respond, but rather put the entire raw tongue in his

mouth,chewingitfast.ThesoundfromhismouthmadeVishnuyath’sstomachroilindisgust.

“Youdoagoodjob,villager.”Keshavpattedhimontheshoulder.“Wemeannoharmtoyou.Wearesimplywaiting.”

Butforwhat?“Heyboss!”someonefromhisgroupcalled.“What?”Keshavshoutedback.“Howcomeareligiousmanlikehimisallowedtocutourmeat?Imean,they

haverulesandallright?Don’ttheyhavetheirGodsandGoddessesofallkinds?”“Yes,Iwonderhow.”“Idon’tmind,”Vishnuyathquietlysaid.“A propagator of atheism,my friends,”Keshav clapped. “You believe in no

God,amIright?”Vishnuyathdidn’tanswer.Keshav just lookedathimeerily forawhilebefore

heslappedhimonthebackwithappreciation.“Heisfine.”Keshavwentovertohistent.Justoutsideofit,therewasahangingcagewhich

Vishnuyathhadseen.ThecagehadatalkingparrotandfromwhatVishnuyathhadwitnessed, the parrot was a genius. Keshav, to see any dangers lurking around,wouldletthisparrotflyandcomeback.Iftheparrotwouldcontinuescreeching,it

wasasignthattheyhadtobecarefulaboutthedangerslurkingaround.ButKeshavdidn’ttreattheparrotright,wouldn’tgivehimenoughfoodandhadachainlockedarounditsankles.Wheneverhewouldsendhimout,hewouldtiestonestohimsohe couldn’t travel too far.Hewould threaten the parrot as if it understoodhim,whichVishnuyathknewhedid, for theparrotwas indeedageniusplaced inverywronghands.

He tried squeezing the remaining life out of the parrot and it began to peckKeshav hard over his palms, but it didn’tmatter to him.Hewas justmaniacallygrinningatthebloodfromallthequickpiercings.

“Yes, my love, do it, do it, I feel it.” He squeezed harder and the parrotscreechedloudly.AndthenKeshavdroppedhiminside.TheparrotbegancreatinganuncontrollablenoisetillKeshavjustchuckledandclosedthecage.

“Our eyes,” he signalled at Vishnuyath, who had been continually staring atKeshav,whichhehadnoticed.“Beautifulcreatures.”

BytheVajra,LordIndra,savemefromthishorror.“Who wants to gamble?” he shouted at his friends. Surely there was no

hierarchyamongstthem,sincetheyallhadrespectanddisrespectforeachotheronanequalmeasure.ItwasonlyKeshavwhohadbeenthecraziest.Hewouldleadthegroup,speakwhathepleasedeventhoughhewasleastintimidatingphysically.

Vishnuyathwalked over calmly to the cage,while the backs of theMlecchasweretohim.Hekneltnexttothecageandtriedtopettheparrot,butitmadeanuncontrollablenoise.

“Calmdown, I’moneof the goodmen,”he said, but theparrot didn’t stop.“Allright,fine,letmehelpyouwithasnack.”Hehadaglimmerofhappinessashedughishand intohis dirty tunicpocket andbroughtout apieceofbread. “Youwantsome,myfriend?Here…”hepromptedtheparrotbyfeedinghimfromhishand.Theparrotbackedoff.“Fine,I’lljustleaveitrighthere,soIhopeyoudon’tfeelthreatenedthen.”Hetossedthebreadinsidethecageastheparrotlookedatitforawhile.Byjustthelookofit,thebirdseemedtobescared,almostshockedthatsomeoneofferedhimsympathy.Andthen itbentdownhisneck likeacraneandfetchedthepieceofbread.

“Hey, here you go, my friend.” Vishnuyath clapped calmly. It was almost amomentofhappinessforhim.“Youarefriendly.Whatisyourname?”

Theparrotcontinuedtoeatthebreadbykeepingitnexttohimandpeckingit.Whenitwasover,thebirdslowlywalkedwithhistinylegstotheendofthecageandpushedhisheadout.

“Whatdoyouwant?Youwantmetopatyou?”

QuietlyVishnuyathchuckledtohimselfashetappedontheparrot’shead.Thenhescratchedthelightfeathers,feelinghowsomethingcouldbesosoftandtender.

“Whatisyourname,friend?”Thebirddidn’tsayanything.“Thesedeviantsmusthavenotevenhavegivenyouaname,eh?Well,youare

quitefriendlyandbeautiful.Whydon’tIcallyou…Shuko?”Thebird flapped in appreciation. “Myname isVishnuyathHari.But youcan

callmeVishnu,myfriend.Iwasnamedafter thefoundingGodsofourcreation.LordVishnuwasthevaliantwarriorwhobroughtordertooursociety,theseekerofdharma.”

“Vishnu!Vishnu!”Itbegantocryoutloudinhappiness.“What’sgoingonthere?”OneoftheMlecchasshouted.“Uh,nothing.”Vishnuyathcametohisfeetandsteppedawayfromthecage.“Willgiveyoua

pieceofbreadlater.”Everyonebegantoplaytheirso-calledin-housegamblinggame,wheretheyhad

chalkedout houseswithpebbles and threwdice to seewhoonehad thehighestnumber,aroundapieceofcloththathadsquaresmadeonthem.Vishnuyathwasontheothersideashecametowardstheterrain,closetotheunevenslabofrock,and leanedover it, thesplashofcowbloodonhishandsandhisfeetashefeltasoothingrelaxationfinallycomingoverhim.

Ican’tbeherelikethis.The last timehewas in the landof heretics,was in an unknownvillage of a

namehehadforgottenandhewastravellingwithhiscattle,travellingfromthefire-ravagedcityofSuryagarh.Hehadrushed,butherealizedtherewasaninfant,coiledin awhite blanket in themidst of raging flames.Dust hadn’t settled andVishnuknewhehadtochoosebetweengoodwillandbusiness.Andhedidtheinitialthing,leavingthecowsbehindandsavingthechildhedidn’tknowabout.Attheendofit,whenhalfofthepeoplehadleftthevillageandtheotherhalfhadbeenthevictimsofthefire,hewaswithachild,smokerilinguparoundhimandhisfacedarkwithall the ash and soot. He had retreated close to the remaining tree, hugging theweepinginfant,whenhelookedatthewonderfuleyesithad.

Whoareyou?But it didn’t matter for him. Vishnuyath knew what he had to do at that

moment.Hehadtotakeithome,forleavinganinfantinaninfirmaryortoanotherfamilywouldbeacrime.PerhapsitwasagiftfromtheGods,andhewasgiventhisprecious child as a chosenbeneficiary.Hehuggedon to it andwhenhe reached

Shambala,hehadalreadynamedtheinfantbythenameofArjan,afterthewarriorLordArjun.

Butfornow,hismindhadreturnedagaintorealityforthatfireinthatvillagewas nothing compared to the situation here. He watched the parrot againwonderinghowlongthebirdhadbeentrappedhere,amongstpeoplelikeKeshav.Hepitiedthebird.Hewatchedhimforawhileuntilherealizedthebittermetaphorofhisentrapment.Justlikethebird,hewashereaswell.Andforhowlong,hehadnoidea.

ArjanhadgrabbedallthetwigshecouldbreakfromthetreesashemovedtothecentrewhereBalahadbeenscrapingtheland,diggingwhatwasleftoftheground.Hehadashovelhebroughtfromhishut.

Themorning had come by and all three hadn’t slept onewink.Arjanwasn’ttired, for his plan was in the process of materialising. Arjan dropped the twigsinsidethedump.

“Whatdo youplan todowith that,mate?Have a firepit?That’s a bad ideasinceKeshav’spartywillknowaboutit.Thesmelloffireismorefragrantthanthesmellof…wellanything,”hestifledalaugh.

ButArjan didn’tmind at all for his earswere immune toKripa’s insults andtaunts.Hetooktwostonesandbegantorubthemtogether,forhehadn’tbroughtthefirelampswithhim.Andgoingbacktothevillagewouldonlycauseadelayinexecuting theirplan.Hebegan to rub it faster, the rocks creating a sparkor twountildyingdownagain.Withtheleaves,hetriedtorubtherockonthat,andcreateenergy—hehadlearntitattheGurukul.Heinstantlysawsparksflying.Herubbedvigorouslyandeventually,afirewascreated.Withanutterexclamationof joy,hethrewtheburningleavesinsidethepit.Hebegantogiveairtothefiretogrow.

“Youdidit,shallwegobacknow?”Kripaasked.

Arjan turnedback.“Time tohave fun,”Hewalked to thenine feet logwhileBalafollowedhim.Thelogshadbeentiedtothetreeatoneend,stucktoitstrunk.The rope itwas tiedwithwas long and thick, andwouldgo far if thrown in therightdirection.

“Gototheoppositeendandwaitformycommand.”Balanoddedandbegantowandertothesidewithhisbulkybodyavoidingthe

wetmud.Thelandinbetweenthetwotreeswasalittlecurved.“Whatdoyouplantodowiththosenow?”“Nowit’syourturn.”“Turn?Whatturn?”“Godown,inthemiddleandcalloutKeshav.”“Areyoukiddingme,mate?”“I’mnot.”“Whyme?”“Becausemyhandsarefullifyoucansee.”“Balahasmorechanceofsurvivalifyoulose.Icanpushalogallbymyselfand

I’m good at pushing logs, the very best I tell you. Please letme push the damnlogs.”

“Yeah about that, no,”Arjan shook his head.Hewas having funwith all ofthis, finally gettingback at him for somanypessimistic remarks. “You’ll be safe.Justdodgethelogsintime.”

“Dodgethelogs…”hisvoicequivered.“Gonowbeforeitturnsmoredangerousthanitalreadyis.”“WhatdoIhavetodo?”Arjanthoughtforawhile.“Doyourthing,”waswhathecouldcomeupwithin

themostsuccinctmannerpossible.MeeklyKripawalkedover,slidingdownthe land.Arjannoticed itwasvisible

fromthere.IfArjancouldaimwell,theywouldbeabletohitabunchofMlecchasatonego.

“Hellothere!Isanyonethere?Anyone?IhappentorealiseIcanfindKeshavhere.Isanyonethere?”Kripacalledwithhisusualdrunkenswagger.

Anticipation began to tightenArjan’smuscles as he pulled back the logs.HesignalledBala to do the same.They had stretched it far, hoping someonewouldcome.

Butnoonedid.KripalookedupatArjan;hewasalmostgladnooneappearedinfrontofhim.

Heshrugged.Arjangaveashushsignalandtoldhimtowaitwordlessly.

That was when the forest shuddered. Kripa turned away from Arjan to hisfront.OutoftheforestappearedKeshavwithhisthreemen.Attheclearing,Arjancould notice how stocky Keshav was in comparison to the others, but he wasdeadly,withhissharpnoseandcleftchin.

“Whatdoyouwant?”“Ohhelloifitisn’tthegreatKeshavNandhimself!”Keshavlookedathimforawhileasiftryingtounderstandthefool.“Killhim,”

hetoldhismen.Thetwomencameforwardwiththecurvedblades.“Nowwecansettlethislikecivilizedpeople.”Theystillcameforward.Twowasless,accordingtoArjan,buthehadtodoit.HelookedupatBalaas

thetwoofthembegantocometothetargetzone.CasuallyKripamovedbackandhe nodded at Arjan surreptitiously. Arjan nodded at Bala and when his fingersbegantoslip,herealizedhewasabouttokillsomeone.Theveryideaofithauntedhim,buthehadtodoit.Ihaveto,formyfather.

Andthatwaswhenasharppainwentthroughhisarm.Hiseyesmanoeuvredtothe site of pain and he found an arrow seared in his arm as it began to bleedprofusely.Fromtheback,hesawtwoMlecchasappearing.ArjansawBalahadtwoarrowsinhisownback.

No.Theyfoundus.“PUSH!”Arjan with his own mighty effort, pushed the log horizontally, the rope

tightening in the process. The two guards looked at the side, where the logsqueezedtheminbetween,theirbonescracking.

Arjan pulled out his arrow as he saw the Mlecchas smirking. The painintensifiedwhenhehadwithdrawnthearrow,forithadsunkendeepintohisfleshandnowhecouldseehowhismusclewasrespondingtoit.Hishandcoveredthegash.

Hethoughthehadwonbykillingtwooutcasts,buthewaswrong.ThosewerejustbaitstodistractArjanandBala.Theyarereadytomaketheirownpeoplebaits.Whatmonstersarethey?

Oneofthemsaid,“It’stimetomeetyourdaddy,son.”Andhegrinnedbrightly.

KalkiwasabouttoreachShambalawhenLakshmiaskedhimquietlyaquestionthathadhadherunsettled.

“WhyisBalahelpingus?”“Whatmakesyouaskthis?”Kalkilookedawaytothecloudsandthewoodsthattheywereleaving,asthey

were entering the village area. The city was darkened with smoke and industrialwastefromthearmoury,mines,dirtandbazaarsthatoccupiedthethinnestoflanes.Hehadseentheroyalfort,butitwasfarofffromthecity.

“It just makes me wonder what a tavern’s guardsman owes you. Why elsewouldheoffertohelpyou?”

“Owesmeisnotaneatthingtosay,”Kalkisaid.“Idon’tletpeopleoweme.Ihelpthemwithoutwantinganyfavoursinreturn.”

“Iknow.Whichmakesmewonderwhyhehelpsyou,”promptedLakshmi.“I help him occasionally at the tavern free of cost, the times when it is

necessary.”LakshmilookedatKalki,studyinghisface.Hermouthhadgrownintoafrown

withherbrows furrowedandhergreyeyes staringathimunblinkingly.“Youarelying,”shesaid,finallyconcludingwithasmile.“It’ssoevident.Ifyoudon’twant

totellme,justsayyoudon’twanttotellmebutitonlymakesmewonderwhatsortofcrimeyouhavecommitted,soastohideasimplefactfromme,sinceyoutellmeeverything.”

Kalkisighed,hischestfeelingheavy.“Wehavereached.”Hedivertedthetopicashesawahugeplumeofsmokespirallingoutofthewoods,yardsawayfromhisdairyfarm.“Something’sburning,perhaps.”

“Yeah.”“Wherearetheothers?”Kalkiwalkedaround,butfoundnooneinthevillage.Thereweredonkeyand

bullockcarts.HebypassedtheMitra’shousehold,crossingtheTripathihut,finallyreachinghishouse,whereevenmotherSumatiwasn’tpresent.

“Wheredidtheyallgo?”heaskedLakshmi.“Wheredidtheyallgotogether?”Kalkiinstantlyrealized.There’sonlyoneplace.

Kalki had reached the Soma Caves, passing the uneven trail of road thatzigzaggedacrosstheascendingmountain.Hehadbroughtthechariotwithhimandhe could see the peoplemilling around SomaCaves,watching him in shock anddelight.Thekidsbegantogetexcitedatthesightofthechariotwhiletheadultsjustgasped. Sumatiwas in the front, carrying out prayerswith a thali in front of theSomaCaves.Thatwaswhattheydidwhenevertheywereintrouble—goandprayat Lord Indra’s site, where he had performed penance and gifted Shambala themagicstones.

Sumaticameforward,whilethegroupbehindherledbyDevadattastoodstill.He played with his moustache, curious about the exchange that was to emergebetweenmotherandson.

“Wherewereyougone?”sheasked.“Iwasinthecity.”Herexpressiondidn’tshiftbutshelookedbackatLakshmi,whowasstanding

meekly.KalkiblockedhervisionjustthenandSumatijustraisedhereyebrows.“Itwasmydoing.Nother’s,”hesaid loudly forLakshmi’s furiousparents to

hear.“Whyaren’tweprotectingmyfather?Whatarewedoinghere?”“Wearedoingthesame.I’mprotectingmyhusband.”“Withthis?”helookedatthethali.“Thisisnotsavinghiminanyway.”“We are praying to God and we will make sure that Lord Indra and Lord

Vishnuwouldbestowhissafetyovermyfamily…”Kalkiignoredhismother.“I believe in the greatness of this place, but it won’t help us fight those

outcasts.”Kalki’sfaceremainedimpassive.HeheldSumatiforamomentalmostinastate

of tender love and thenhemadeher standbesidehim.Sumatiwasheavingwithanger,butnot after she laidherhandsonhimagain, andKalkiknewwhy.Kalkihadcomeforwardandhehadacertainleadershipqualityabouthim;hisneckup,his eyes narrowed. Devadatta didn’t even dare to speak as Kalki eyed him withcalmnessandclinicalsterility.

“I had gone to the city of Indragarh, the nucleus of Illavarti, to bring backweaponstofightthoseMlecchas.WecansithereandpraytotheGodsorwecangouptothosehillsandfightourwaythrough.ThoseMlecchasdidn’tjustkidnapmy father, they kidnapped our peace, our love, our hopes and our desires. Theymadeus think thatweareweakand fragile,villagers, commonfolks.Andweareprovingthemrightbystandinghereinfrontofrocks,prayingtoaGodwhomightnever even come from the heavens.Hemight one day, but that day isn’t today.Todayisourday.TodayisthedaywherewecanprovetothoseoutcastsandtheGodsthatwearenotjustvillagers.Wecanbewarriorsaswell;wejustneedtohavebraveryandvalouronourside,”hepaused,ashetookadeepbreath.

Devadattatookadeepbreath.“Let’s justsay,forargument’ssake, ifweagreetoget theweapons,whereshouldwescout?”hecontinued.“It’sbetter tosendarequesttothecitytosendusahelpingpartythanjustscavengingtheentirearea.”

Someofthemnoddedinthegroupwhileothersjustremainedconflicted.Kalkiknewtherewereafew,who,ifconvinced,wouldjoinhisbandtodefeattheforestdwellers.

“The city won’t send anyone, for they are already being corrupted by theirpolitical intrigue.It’shorribleoutthere,withthe infestationoftheTribals,”Kalkisaid.

“Neverthelesswebelievegoingupfoolishlyandwastingourtimeatthatdarkforestisjust…well…”hecontinued,butKalkichosetonotlisten.

At that point, a realization hit him.Kalki looked up at thewoods again, thebright lush greenery that sprawled ahead of them. And there was the circle ofsmokecomingout.

Iwillsignalyouwhenwefindthem.Signal?Ofcourse.“Soyourargumentiswedon’tknowwheretolookfor,right?”

“Exactly,”Devadattanodded.“Ifwewouldknow,Iwillpersonallytakeanaxeandgothere,Itellyou.Sarpanchornot,I’llbethewarrior.Butunfortunately,wedon’tknowwheretheyare.”

Kalkicrossedhisarms,tryingtoconcealhissmirk.“Well,whatifIsayIknowwheretheyare?”Devadatta’smouthgrewsmallashetriedtoloosenthetightcollarofhistunic.“Ithinkyoushouldgetthataxeyouweretalkingabout.”

The evening had dawned and Vishnuyath saw his son Arjan wounded and tiedaroundthepeepaltreewithhiscompanions—aburly,mammothmanandanotherlankyindividualwhosefacewasentirelycoveredwithhair.Hehadwrinklesandwasquiteold.Thatwaswhenherealizedwhoitwas.Therealisationcametohimasthemanwatchedhimintently.TherewasaclearbutwordlessunderstandingbetweenVishnuyathandtheoldman.

Whyishewithmyson?ButVishnuyathdidn’tponderonthatquestionfor longsinceKeshavcrossed

him and came forward with his friends, circling around the tree. Keshav didn’tspeak,butoneofhismendid.

“Youbarge inas if itwasyourown land,youkilledtwoofourmen;andforthat,yourpunishmentisdeath.”

Vishnuyath’sfeetweakened.Hefeltmortifiedattheverythoughtofhisson’sdeath.Kalkihadbeenalwaysthemoreadventurousandstrongerone,unlikeArjan,whotookstepsonlyafterthinkinghard.Whatinhisrightmindmadehimleadtwomoreliveshere?

“CanIspeaktohim,please,mylord;pleasecanIspeaktohim?”Keshavgrunted.“Ihadafatheronce;Iwishhelovedmethismuch.Go.”

Vishnuyath staggered to his feet, and on reaching the tree, he hugged Arjantightly.

Arjanwhispered,“Areyouallright?Areyouhurt?Youhavebloodonyou.”“I’mfineson;youdidn’thavetodothis.”“IfIwouldn’thave…Iwouldhaveneverforgivenmyself.”Vishnuyath cupped his hands over Arjan’s cheek. “You are a fool, you

understand,youareafool.”Andthenhehuggedhimagain.“Ialwaystriedtobeyourrealson,butIfailed.Igotcaught.”Vishnuyathpulledhimback,andlockedeyeswithhim.“Don’tsaythat.Don’t

youdaresaythat.YouhavenoideawhatIfeelforyou.”“It’s always been there, even though you andMother kept saying I was the

moredependableson.ButIcouldseethatyouweretryingtopleaseme,soIcouldforgetIwasadopted.Iwasnothingbutastrangertoyou;Iwasaweakling,foundinabarn,aninfantwhohadnoparents.”

Vishnuyathregrettedtellinghimallofthis.HehatedArjanforsayingallofthis,buthehatedhimselfmorefortellinghimthetruth.Heshouldn’thave.Hecouldhavekeptitinside,helditalltogether,buthehadtospillitout—justforhisdamnpenchantforhonesty.Vishnuyathunderstoodthatitwouldhavebeenfarbettertospeakliesthantospeakthetruth.

Hesawhisbrokenson.Hisarmwasbleeding,buthewashesitating.Hewasdisappointed.AndthatwaswhenVishnuyathsaidtoArjan,“Youaremoreasontomethananyfathercouldeverhavewishedfor.”

Keshav’smengrabbedhimatthatmomentandpulledhimbehind.VishnuyathturnedtoKeshav,hishandsand legsfeelingoutofplace,almostonthevergeofcollapse as if they had lost their bearing. He grabbed Keshav’s feet tightly andbegan to beg, his eyes streaming with tears. Keshav looked at Vishnuyath for awhile, with a sense of confusion in his eyes. Vishnu searched for some sign offorgiveness,butnonewasseen.

“Leaveme.”HekickedVishnuyathintheface,asherolledoverontheotherside.“Igrantedyourwish.Nowseeyoursonsuffer.”

Arjanyelled,“Youthinkyoucanescape!Youhavenoidea.”OneofKeshav’smenasked,“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Whoiscoming?”“Yourdeathwill…bymyhands.”“Our death?”Keshav’s accent was garbled. “Our death is in our hands,” he

spreadouthispalms.“Idon’tbelieveit.”Keshav narrowed his eyes.He pulled out a dagger and went close to Arjan.

Arjanjuststoodtherewithbloodshoteyes,watchingKeshav.Vishnuyathprayed.Pleasedon’t.Pleasedon’tsayanything.Youhaveno ideawhathe’s

capableof.“Believethis.”Keshavusedhisdaggerandbegantoslowlycarveascar.Arjan’sskintore,his

mouth contorted into a silent shriekofpain as theblade slowly tore throughhisface.Justbelowhiseyes,crossinghisnose,tohisothercheek,hisfacedrenchedinhisownblood.

Vishnuyathyelled,hishandsandhisfeetfrozenonthefloor.“Somethingtoremembermeby,”Keshavgrinned.“Alwaysmarkthedead,to

letothersknowwhoitwasthatdidit.”“I challenge you. You say…you say…” Arjan began shivering. Vishnuyath

couldseehewantedtowishawaythepain.“Yousaydeathis inourhands…whywe…w-whydon’tdon’twe…”hegasped,“weplayagame?”

“Game?”“Isawyouwereplayingpachisi.”Hesignalledovertothegamblingzone.“If

youwin,youkillus.Ifyoulose,youleaveus.Youareamanwho’llsticktoyour…eh…um…right?Eh?Youdon’twantyourfriends…”hisvoicegotloud,“toknowyouarenotamanofyourword.Thatwouldbeapity since theybelieve inyourwordsomuch.”

Keshavlookedathismen.Foramoment,therewasaflickerofuncertaintyintheireyes.

“Ohright,”Keshavnodded.“Thoseruleschange…ifIwin,I’llkillyourfatherfirst,”hepointedatthefrailVishnuyath,“carveandtorturehiminfrontofyousoyou’llseewhatyourlosshasledto.Okay?”

VishnuyathknewthatArjannowhadhisfather’slifeinhishands.“Allright,”Arjannodded.

Therewasoneproblem.Hedidn’tknowhowtoplaypachisi.Arjanhadconfidentlyandclumsilyagreedtoagamehehadseenfromfaroff

duringhisyearsintheGurukul.Theotherstudentswouldsitaroundacloth,whichhad multiple squares and cowries to move their gitte or pieces forward on. Thepieceswereof twocolours.Hehadneverbeen interested in thatbecausehewasmostly rummaging throughancient scripturesandbooks, learningabout thewaysafter the Breaking and how life had evolved over a period of time. Arjan hadcuriously seen the same cloth and recognized there would be some gamblinginvolved.Now hewished he had learnt it enough.He sat opposite themadmanKeshav,whilehisfather’slifewasatstake.

WheretheheavensisKalki?Igavehimthesignal.Hehadtostall for time.Vishnuyathhadbeenkeptseparate fromArjan.Bala

and Kripa were still tied to the tree, their faces strongly marked by the restiveatmospherearoundthem.Arjanhadaclothoverhis face tostop thebleeding. Ithadhurtworsethanafallhehadexperiencedwhenhehadbeentrainingtorideahorse atGurukul.Hehad sprainedhis leg andhad cried all thewayback to theinfirmary.Rightnow,itwasworseandwhiletearswereburninghiseyes,heknewhehadtobearthepain.

“Well?”Keshav’smarbleeyesglinted.“Shallwe?”Arjannodded.Thepieceswere kept in themiddle, andwereof two colours.

OnewasforArjan,red;theotherone,black,forKeshav.Themiddlehadaroundcirculardesign.Keshav’sentireganghadcircledaroundthegamenow,exceptforthefewwhowerestandingtoguardtheprisoners.

“Beathim,boss!Beathim!”Allofthemgoadedhim.Arjanwasgivenbrightlycolouredcowries.“Yougofirst.”Hehadtoseehow

hewouldplay.“Alright,”Keshavtookthecowriesbackandbegantoshuffleitinhishand.He

tossed themsoftlyon the ground, scratchinghis chin in theprocess.Thereweretwo cowries that faced upwhile the otherswere down. “Two steps.”He took apieceandputitinfront.

Itdependsonwhatisupandwhatisdown.Arjanbegantoshakeitinhishands.Hetosseditthen.Therewerefivecowries

thatfacedup.Everyonegaspedinshock.“Morethanmine,”Keshavchuckled.TriumphantlyArjanforwardedthepieces.Hehadahintofasmile,thelittlehe

couldgivewiththeamountofpainhewassufferingfrom.Andthusthegamecontinued.Arjanmadesurethatwitheachtoss,hewould

rigthecowriesbyturningtheminsidehispalmwithhislittlefinger,sothatwhenhe gently threw it, theywould fall favourably. For a while,Keshav didn’t noticeanythingamiss,untilArjanrealizedthatKeshavhadtosseda jackpot.Nocowrieswereturnedup.

Everyone clapped, almost to the point of annoyance.Arjan didn’t know thispartof thegame.But thenKeshavusedhispiecesandbrought themforwardbytwenty-fivesquares.Arjanrealizedthatwithhiscowries,hewassupposedtoreachthe centre. From whence they had left, they had to return to the same point,withoutbeingovercomebytheopponentplayer.Thatwasthegame.AnditfeltsomuchlikeArjan’sliferightnow.

Keshav was clearly winning. Arjan dropped three ups and he came forwardwith one of his pieces in the same square as that of Keshav’s square. Keshavgroaned,takingoffhispieceandputtingitbackinthecircle.ForawhileArjanwasglad.

Thegamecontinuedforanhour,wherewitheachofArjan’smoves,theresultwas continuously being thrown off-kilter. Keshav’s men kept abusing him andArjanjustshuffledandtossedwhileKeshavwasabletobringtheearlierpiecefromthecentrebacktotheforefront,withallofhisotherpiecesinsidethecircleexcept

forone.Arjanhad twopieces left,buthewasalmost twentypacesbehind,whileKeshav was just three. His heartbeat was pounding against his chest. He feltoverwhelmedandshockedwithwhathehadgambled.Hewasafool.

No.Andthatwaswhenheheardit.Itwasaloud,screechingsoundofacough.He

sawKripacoughingcontinuously.“Iapologize.”Everyonefrownedattheolddrunkard.Keshav began to shuffle in his hand again whenKripa coughed. “Shut up!”

Keshav yelled. “I am trying to concentrate,” he said with irritation. And that iswhenithitArjan.Helookedbackwithhisoneeyewhiletheotherwasfoldedbyacloth,tightlywovenaroundhishead.HesawKripaandrealizedhewasn’tsuchanolddrunkard,afterall.

Heknewthegame.Whenyoushuffle,thatiswhenyoutrytodistract.ThatiswhywheneverArjan

triedtoshuffle,Keshav’smenbegantochant,talkandtroublehimverballysohewouldn’tbeabletoconcentrateonthecowriesandthrowthemtherightway.

Arjangaveaslight,acknowledgingnodatKripa.Keshavwas shuffling hard, his eyesmaniacallywatching the game as hewas

planningtothrowandwinthegameofpachisi—andjustashewasabouttotoss,Arjansneezed.Itwasamatterofasplitsecond,butitmadeallthedifference.Theresultcamewithtwocowrieswhiletherestweredown.

“Dooga,”Arjangrinned,asKeshavangrilyputhispiecestwostepsforward.Arjan was given the cowries. He had to pull out twenty-five paces forward

whichmeant all the cowries needed to be up.He prayed to Lord Vishnu as hebegantoloosenhisgripandtossthecowries…

“Whatisthatboss?”oneoftheMlecchasspokeup.Above the little view of the skyline the canopies offered, there was visible

smoke,engulfingtheblueskies.“Fire?”“Smoke,”theotherwashorrified.“It’satrap!”Keshav glanced atArjan.Arjan felt a terrible void in his heart,mingledwith

extreme fear. His body had just turned cold, his toes curling, his skin growingwhite.

Whereintheheavensareyou,Kalki?“Kill,”saidKeshav.Allofhismendrewtheirswordsout.Thesoundofclangingbladeagainstthe

sheathmortifiedArjan.“Andstartwiththefather,”hepaused,“weleaveafterthis,rightnow.”Everyonenodded.Theguard close to the tree came toVishnuyath,whohad

beencorneredagainstthebranch.Thebladecameforward.Arjanyelledinagony.Andthentherewasthesoundsofhooves—multiplehooves.

Startled,everyonelookeduptothedirectionofthesound.Theovergrowthandthebushesweretorn,andthetwigswerebrokenasachariotappearedintheclearing,withKalkiontopofit,holdingabowandarrow,withLakshmiwieldingthereinsbesidehim.

Andwiththem,cameanentirebandofpeople,morethantheawkwardeightpartybandofKeshav.Keshav immediatelystoodupwithhisdagger,whileArjanleaptontohimbeforehecouldattackanyone.Kalkimeanwhilehadleaptfromthechariotandwasaimingarrowswithdeftnessandprecision.

ButArjancouldn’tcare lessofwhatwashappeningaroundhimasArjanhadgrabbedholdofKeshav’sarmandwasnot lettingthedaggergo inanydirection.Keshavpushedandpummelled in theairbutnothingworkeduntilArjandid theunthinkable.Hebithisarm.Keshavyelledinpainashelefttheblade,tossingitontheground.KeshavpushedArjan,andwithhis legs, lockedhimandpushedhimdown. Keshav continued to punch him hard till Arjan could feel his nose losesensation. Arjan kicked him between the legs, leading Keshav to collapse back,groaning.Arjanwiped theblood fromhisnose.Hewent tograbKeshav,butherolledoverandbegantogetaway.

ArjansawKalkiwasshootingarrowswhileBalawasusinghismace.Lakshmi

wasusingaspearandtheotherswerepitchingasandhowtheycould,notusedtoanysortofwarfaretechniques.Manywereinjured,astheystaggered,relentlesslyinpursuitofatriumph,butclearlyfailing.HewasunabletofindKripaandhisfather.Hiseyesscannedaroundashecalledouttohisfather.Justthen,hesawKalki.

“Youcameearly,”Arjangrunted.“You are no one to complain. I never thought youwould be captured. You

reallyaremybrother.”Andhiseyesnarrowed.“Areyouokay?”Arjan couldn’t help but smile. “We can talk about my miseries and injuries

later.”“Takethis.”Kalkigavehimadagger.“Useitnow,”hepanted,“anddon’tspare

anyone.Fightlikeit’syourlastday.”“Youdon’tevenknowhowtofightandyouaregivingmelifelessons?”“Wanttogambleonthat?”Arjanrolledhiseyes.“I’vegambledenoughfortoday,brother.”And thatwaswhenArjan’s eyesmetVishnuyath’s.Amidst thebattle, hewas

thelonelyoldman,weakandfragile,unlikeothers.ArjansignalledKalkitoprotectVishnuyathastheymovedforward.

Vishnuyath’s facebrightenedonseeingbothhissons,but just then,anarrowpierced his back. Arjan was the first to see asKalki was shooting arrows at theenemies.At the sightofhis father,Arjan yelled, even ashe could feelnumbnesstake hold of his body. Arjan knelt next to Vishnuyath. Kalki saw what hadhappenedandshoutedinagony.

ArjangrabbedVishnuyathandputhisheadonhis lap;VishnuyathwasgivinghimthesametolerantandpatientlookastheonehehadgivenArjanbeforeheleftforhiseducationaltrystattheGurukul.Thatlookwhichaskedhimtobeardifficultmomentsinlifewithpositivityandequanimity.

Arjan held him tightly. Kalki came the other side as Arjan slowly massagedVishnu’shead.Kalkiinstantlypulledoutthearrows.

“You two…are…the greatest…gifts to this world,” he said. “Arjan, don’tforgetyouarepartoftheHarifamily,notanyoneelse’s…”

Arjanbeamed.“AndKalki?”“Yes,father?”Kalkiloweredhisheaddown.Vishnuyath’s armwent towards the other side and it signalled atKripa,who

wassittingawayfromthesceneofviolence.“Whatabouthim?”Kalkiasked.“Kripa?”Arjaninquired.

Vishnuyathnodded.“Kripa…Kripa…cha…”Arjan lookedup,andat thatmoment,Kripasharedadistinct lookofcontact

with him andKalki.And thatwaswhen therewas a sudden shift ofweight andVishnuyath’seyesglassedover.

Arjandughisheadagainsthisdeadfather’schestwhileKalkipattedhimontheshoulder. Arjan looked at him. “I can’t believe…I can’t…I can’t…he wasn’tsupposedto…hewasn’tsupposedtodie.”

There was another arrow flung really close to Arjan when Kalki caught it.Arjan’s eyes widened, shocked at what Kalki had just done. Kalki clenched thearrowanditbrokeintwo.

Kalki stood up, as he began to walk further, heading straight towards thedangerastheMlecchashotanotherarrow.ArjansawthearrowpierceKalki’sskin,butunlikeArjan,Kalkididn’tyell.Hewithstoodthepain.Therewasanotherarrowandanotheruntil therewere fivearrowssticking throughKalki’schest, tearingathisclothes.Kalkibrokethearrows,pullingthemoutashegrabbedtheMlecchabythethroat.

Arjan continued to watch spellbound, while Vishnuyath remained in his lap.KalkigrabbedtheweakMlecchabythethroatandpulledhimupwithease.Arjancouldnotbelievehisowneyes,seeingthisviriledisplayofstrengthinfrontofhim.Kalki continued to squeeze the neck, holding it as tightly as possible until itsnapped.Arjanturnedaway,thoughhecouldhearthebodycollapse.

Thewarwasover.Thevillagehadwon.ButKalkiandhe,theyhadlost.Kalki stood over the dead Mleccha, before walking away as if none of it

matteredtohim.Itwasallmaya,anillusion.ArjanwalkedovertoseetheMleccha.Therewasagentlesmilethatplayedon

his lips. Itwas of amocking look of sadistic pleasure, for the corpsewere noneotherthanKeshavNand.

Theburning…thedeaths…thehorror…Aboymanagedtorummagethroughthepilesofburntoutbooksandcharred

remainsashesawthepeoplesuccumbingtotheflames.Hemanagedtomakehisway out, hoping to be able to find—his sister. Seeking her, breaking barriers,entering the tents,he finally sawher just ashe sawsomethinghorrible.Themanwhowasresponsibleforit…themanwhodidallofit…itwasjustaglimpse,buthewould rememberhis face forever.Hewas tall, taller thanmostof them…andhehad a scar that ranoverhis forehead. Itwas sodeep and sohorrible that itwasleakingpusandblood.

Theboymanagedtoholdtheinfantinhishandwhileheheardtheothers.Theothers…therewereothers…

Therewerecriescomingfromhissiblings.Kaliwokeup.Hecould feel every inchofhis frameburning and aching.He

slowly touchedhis head and realizedhewas running a high temperature.And atthatmoment, thedooropened.Perhaps itwashis cry, but it had ledDurukti toenterfrantically.Shekneltbesidehiminconcern.

“Icouldn’tsavethem…Icouldn’tsaveourbrothers…oursisters…”“It’s all right, it’s all right.” Durukti began to pat him, cleaning his clammy

foreheadandrunningherfingersthroughhishairtocalmdown.“KOKO!VIKOKO!”Thetwogeneralsenteredinstantly.“Getmecoldwateratthisinstantandgetmetheshamanaswell!”Theynoddedandstormedout.“You’llbefine,brother.”Shekissedhimonthehead.“You’llbejustfine.You

justneedsome…”“Thesinsofmyfailure…t-t-theyarecatchinguptome…theyaregoingtokill

me,”hemumbled,hispupilsgrowingwhite,whilehissoulbegantofeellikeitwasrippingapartfromhisflesh.

“No,noonewillkillyou,noonewillkillmybrother,Ipromiseyouthat.”Shehuggedhimastightlyaspossible,hisheadagainstherchest.“You’llbejustfine.”

Kaliwasleaningagainstthebednow.Adampcloth,drenchedwithwater,wasplacedaroundhisheadwhileDuruktiheldontohishands.Thesweathaddriedandhefeltbetter,buthischesthurtmorethanthelasttime.TheshamanhadleftandKoko andVikokowere standing aside, concerned. Itwas always a delight to seethem together, for they both looked so similar and yet distant. Vikoko had herblondhairtiedinabraidwhileKokohadshorthair,butbothofthemhadthesamebuild,whichcomplimentedeachother.

When he had met them for the first time, Kali was young, but they wereyounger.

Weallhavegrownuptogether.Duruktidismissedthem.“Areyouallright?”Kalinodded.Helied,becausehischestfeltheavy.“Don’tworry,I’llbefine.”“Yousaidsomethinginyourhysteria.”“What?”“Aboutseeingamanwithascar,”shesaid.Kalinarrowedhiseyes.Hedidn’tremember.“DidI?”“Youtalkedaboutleavingoursiblingsbehind.”“I always do that when I feel afraid.” Kali clenched his teeth. He was in a

positionoffear,overwhichhehadnocontrol.“Youknowthat.”“Whathappenedthenwasn’tyourfault.”

“ButIshouldhaveknown.”Kalilookedawayfromher.“Atleast,youprotectedme.”“Yes.”Kali wasn’t disappointed. He was glad he was able to do that. But it still

haunted him, killed him from the inside, his stomach churning and his mindsomersaulting,convulsingintomorbidthoughtsofthecounterfactual.

“IHAVETOSEEHIM!”Therewereyellsfromoutside.Hecouldhear theprotestsandthewayKokoandVikokotriedtostopthese

protests.“He’sresting.”“Resting?Heshouldbedoinganythingbutresting.Ihavebeenbetrayedandlet

down!”KaligaveanacknowledgingnodtoDurukti,whowenttothedoorandopened

it.“Lethimin.”KokoandVikokostoppedandVasukienteredthechambers,clearlytickedoff

andagitated.“How is your health, your highness? How do you feel? Should I bring you

somethingelsewhilebodiesofmymencontinue topileup?”Vasukicomplainedmockingly.

“Don’tyoudarespeakto…”KaliheldherpalmtightlyandDuruktiwassilenced.Heknewitwashisfault,

beinginbed,buthehadnoideawhatramificationsithadcaused.“Whathappened,LordVasuki?”

“Takshakwasapparently stabbedand thrownfroma three-story inn,”Vasukiadded.“Imaginewhowouldhavetheaudacitytodothat?”

KaliknewwhatVasukiwasimplying.“Doyouhaveanyproof?”“I am searching for it, but just so you know, the slightest inkling, and itwill

meanwar.I’llsendanarmytomassacrethatfatwormofacreature.Sittingonallthatbloodywealth!

“I knowKuvera andhe’s amanof hiswords.Hepromised hewouldn’t killanyonetoinciteawar.”

“Well, he’s backing off from his word, for words don’t matter anymore.”Vasukistoppedpacingintheroom.“Justsoyouknow,Kali,wehadapactandImade sure to upholdmy end of it. I gave you the responsibility formaintainingpeaceamongus.Butifyouarenotfittodothat,Iwillhavetofindalternativesand

youwon’tlikethatatall.”“Is thata threat,LordVasuki?”Even indirehealth,Kali’svoice sentchilling

tremorsdownVasuki’sspine.Vasukilookedathim,stunnedforawhile.“Iaminvestigatingthismyself.IfI

gettime,IshalltellyouwhatIfind.Tillthenfarewell,asmysisterPrincessManasaiscomingtovisitandbidfarewell toherbest friend,GeneralTakshak.Ihopetoseeyouthereathisfuneralaswell.”

Andwiththat,heleft.Claspinghispalms andplacing themoverhishead,Kali began to frownand

triedtothinkhard.Whatshouldhedo?“Whathappened?”Duruktiasked.“Youknowwhathappened,”Kalishookhishead.Hecalledouttohisgenerals,

whowerestandingandguardinghisroom.Theyentered.“Iamsureyouheardwhatthesnakesaid,”Kalibegan.“Iwantyoutwotofind

outwhodidthis.Andinvestigatefasterthanthesnake.Idon’twanthimtocauseanybreakinthepeaceIhavebarelyjustnegotiatedandputintoplace.”

Thetwinsnoddedandleft,thistimefortheexitofthefort.“It’s almost sad when you lose something from your grip, something you

achievedaftersomucheffort.”“Iunderstand,brother.”He gave a warm pat on her cheek before drifting back to sleep, hoping to

recover from the fever and the body ache. But his mind wandered back to thevillagethatburnt.Therehadbeenareasonwhyhewantedtheso-calledTribalandManavpeace.Foritwastheirbitterrivalrythathadledtohisfamily’sdemiseandtheburningofhisvillage.

Whowasthescarredman?Foritchangedeverything.Thefightwasneveraboutpeace,butaboutsecrets.

Andthosesecretsrestedintheendsofhismind,somewherehewastoofrightenedtounlockandlookforthem.

Kalki didn’t leave for the antyeshi of his father.Hewas tooweak for that, unlikeArjan, who carried out the funerary duties.Hewas changed; his face had a scarwhich instinctivelymadepeoplerecoil.ThescarwasareminderthatArjanwouldlamenteverydayofhislife.Thatwasworsethandeath.Hehadseen,fromfar,theantyeshi , away from his disappointed and grieving mother who knew noconsolation. She deserved better than a bunch of Mlecchas taking away herhusband.Shedeservedsomuchmoreforshehadalwaysbeenanoblewoman.

He travelled to the place where the bloodshed had taken place. Kalki camehere,nottorecallthetragedy,buttoseeifhisfatherhadleftanythingbehind.ThetentsoftheMlecchashadbeentorndown,andthehorrorofthefirepitswasfilledwithMlecchabodies.

Thetriumphofabattleoftenendswithinnocentcasualties.Andthatwaswhenheheardit.Itwaslikeacroak—aharshnoisethatpricked

hisears,asthewordscameglaringlyclear—“Vishnu!Vishnu!”Kalkikneltdown. In themidstof thebrokendowntentwasacageand in it

therewasadishevelledbutmagnificentparrot,justlookingupatKalki.“Hello!”

“Vishnu!”“Howdoyouknowmyfather’sname?”“Shuko!Shuko!”Kalki didn’t understand.Hepulled open the cage door and let the parrot fly

away.“Vishnu!”The namewas almost hurting him. The parrotmust have known his father,

somewayor theother.Kalkididn’thaveanything to feed it, sohe justpatted it.Theparrotclimbedonhishand,slowlymakinghiswayuptohisshoulder.

“Shuko!”“YournameisShukothen?”Theparrotpeckedathistunicinacknowledgement.“IsupposewewillcallyouShukothen.”Hewalkeduptowardsthevillage.“Ihopeyouwill tellmeallabouthowyou

metmyfather.”

Hesatclosetotheriver.Thewoundswerestillhurtinghim,makingithardtoeven breathe properly. He picked up a pebble and tossed it across the water,makingitskipacrossthesurface.Shukohadflownawaytogetfood,andhewasn’tbackyet.ThefuneralwasoverandLakshmihadcomelookingforhim.

She sat next to him and didn’t say anything for the next half an hour.Kalkididn’tmeantospeakaswell.Theyjustremainedsilentandhelikedthat.Anyotherfriendwouldhavefelttheneedtospeakup,saysomecomfortingwordsandleave.Lakshmi wasn’t like that. She understood Kalki more than anyone. And sheunderstoodthatwordsdon’tcuregrief.Kalkifelthisfingersinterlockingwithhersastheywatchedthesky’sbrightbluemeetingslowlywiththeorangetingeddusk,andthecloudslookinglikethehandspunpiecesofgauzycloth.

“Hedidamistake.Andhewantedhelp.SoIdid,”Kalkibegan.“Whatdoyoumean?”“Bala,”hesaid,turningtoher,“youaskedmeabouthim,right?Whatdoeshe

oweme?Whatdoesaguardsmanofa tavernoweme?Heallowedayoungchildinside.‘Allowed’isastrongwordsincethegirlsneakedinwithouthispermission.Hecouldn’tstopherbutitwashisfault,forhedidn’treturnforher,topullherout,to make her understand that it was a bad place for kids like her. She was justthirteen.”

Lakshmi’sfacewascuriousasKalkikeptwatchingher.“Shedidn’tunderstandthatmendon’tseeakidasakidwhentheyaredrunk.

Theyseeawoman,andtheydon’thavelimits,norulesthatbindthem.”“Whowasshe?”“Idon’tknow.Weaskedaround.”“Whathappenedexactly?”Herhandtightenedaroundhispalm.Kalkibegantonarrate.Itwasayearback.Thetavernwasn’tjustaplacewhere

you could get drinks. It had a lot of rooms and it had a lot of women offeringsexualfavours.Balahadforgottenaboutthegirlwhowentinside.Inthemorning,hewentthroughtherooms,withabucketofwaterandamop,comingtothelastroom thatwas locked.He calledArindam, the owner of the tavern, and hewassurprisedaswell.Noonedaredtolockroomsthere.

Bala smashed the door open, breaking it at the hinges to find the roomwasstinkingofspiltwineandcoitus.Andinthecorner,therewasagirl.Shehadbeenhiding;herclotheswereripped,justliketheblanketsaroundher.

“Sometimes there are no resolutions to conundrums,”Kalki continued, “Wenevergottoknowwhothepersonwas.Balalookedformeandaskedforafavour,formetohelpherfindahome.”

“Didyou?”“Yes, in another village,” he paused. “He cried on my shoulder and it was

awkward.Hecrieduntilhecouldnolongercryandheblamedhimselfforwhathadhappenedtothegirl.”

Lakshmilookeddown.“Ididn’twanttotellyou,foryouwouldjudgeBala.Hewasforeverindebtto

me,eventhoughIdiditnotforhimbutforher.Hedidn’tcare.Hepromisedhewouldprotectmeandmylittlebrotheraslongashewouldbealive.”

Lakshminodded.“Idon’tjudgehim.Youarewrongaboutthat,youknow.”“Perhaps I am.We forgot who we were and we forget how we used to be

aroundeachother.Ithasbeentwoyearssincewelastsaweachother.”Herfingersranthroughhishair.“Imissedyoualot.Ihavechanged,yes,but

don’tforgetme.I’mstillthesame,justwithdifferentideasnow.”Kalki smiled. The slight touch of her fingers gave him butterflies in his

stomach.Itwasaneeriefeelingforhim.Itmadehimfeelhappy,thetouchofher.Itmadehimfeelgladandhewantedtojustholdontoit.

“Ialsoamabearerofnews.”“Whathappened?”Shetookadeepbreath,asifitwasawaytoapologize.“Iknowwehaveseena

lot,butthelasttimeIwenttomeetmyaunt,sheaskedmetoreturntothecity,saidthingshavesettleddowninIndragarhanditwouldbeallright.”

“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”“Itwasn’ttherightplaceortime.”“Forhowlong?”Kalki’svoicequivered.Notagain.Hewouldbeleftalone.“Idon’tknowforhowlong,butit’llbeforawhile,sure.”“Idon’twantyoutogotothecityagain.”“Iknow.”“Willyouthen?”Sheblinked,perhapscontemplating.“YouknowIwill.Istillwill.Iwanttobe

like my aunt, authoritative and strong and educated. Shambala would make meanythingbutthat.”

Kalki wasn’t disappointed. Rather, he expected that answer. “Well, that’ssomethingthat’sneverchangedaboutyou.”Hepaused.“I’llcometovisityouthistime,Ipromise.”

“Youbetter.Myauntpromisedmethatshe’llgetmeajobatalibrary.Imaginehowcoolwouldthatbe?”

Kalkinodded.“Booksareinteresting.MightIbringArjanthenaswell?”“Ofcourse.”They both smiled each other. Kalki saw a glint of happiness in her eyes.

Lakshmimadethingsbetterforhim.Evenlittlethings,likethewayshewouldkeepcomplaining,orthewayherbrowswouldgoupwhilenervous,itallmadehimseeherinadifferentlight.Shewasadorable.

Shecameforwardandhedidittoo.Hisheartwaspumpinghard,hislipshadgonecold,andhiseyeswerebeginningtoclose,when…

Shukoappeared,croakingloudly.“Kalki!Kalki!”KalkiandLakshmipulledbackinstantly,realizingwhattheywereabouttodo,

especiallyon thedayof themourning.LakshmihadgoneredwhileKalki felthisskingrowwarm.Hisheartwasbeatinghardandhehadneverfeltsounsettledinhislife.

“Whoisthis?”“Shuko.”Theparrotsatidlyonhisshoulder.“Madeanewfriendtoday.”“Interesting.”Shelaughed.Andtheybothsawthesundip,theirfingersstilllockedwitheachother.

Nextmorning,KalkitrudgedonthepathtothetavernwithBala.Arjanwasleftbehindtotakecareofhismother.

“Areyousure,brother,itwashim?”Balaasked.“OhI’msure.”“He’snoonebuta…”“No,he’ssomeone,Ibetyouonthat.”Theyreachedthehillwherethedrunkard,Kripa,hadbeenleaningagainstthe

rock,sleepingwithabunchofmugsaroundhim.Kalkihadevenmanagedtobumpintohimonce.HerecalledhowhehadbeenwalkingfromLakshmi’shome,thedayshehadreturnedfromIndragarhandhadmethim.

Thatwasn’tacoincidence.“Ifollowedhimyesterdaytothisplace.Hewasatyourfather’sfuneral,brother.

Awayfromthecrowd.Suchacoward.Onthedayofthefighting,hehadhiddenhimself.”

“Myfatherwantedmetotalktohim,forheknowssomething,”KalkisaidtoBala.“Iamsuremyfatherdidn’trandomlypickhim.Heknewhisnameeven.HesaidKripasomething.”

“HesaidKripasomething.”Hepaused.“Let’sseewhathehastosayinhisdefence.”

Things were all hazy for him until his eyes opened and he found himself in adifferent atmosphere. It was cold; terribly, horrifically cold. Wrapping his lankyarmsaroundhischest,Kripacameontohisfeet.Therewasthesoundofacrackunderneathhisfeetandherealizedhewasstandingonice.

That’snotnice.The chilly breeze made it worse for him as it distracted him. Carefully, he

tiptoedtotheedge.ThisisnotwhatIexpected.“Well, you had your fun,” he shouted to the skies, still precariously standing

overthethinsheetofice.“YoucanhelpandrescuemeotherwiseI’lldieofcold,mate.”

And then the ice broke at the edge, plunging into the freezing water below.Kripapulledawayandslowlymadehiswaytowardsthesolidlayerofice,wherehesaw a figure standing. Towering and bulky, the figure had a tiger skin wrappedaroundhim,withanaxehangingfromhisback.Hislonghairwasmatted.

“You always have your fun,mate,”Kripa remarked. “But stop callingme inthesedreams,allright?Itgetsallheavyandhurts…”

Thefigurestayedthere,silent,nostrilsflaring.

“Whatdoyouwant,Bhargav?Ishowedyouthebattle,right?Wesawwhathedid.He’stheone.”Kripa’svoicehadchanged.Ithadbecomesternanddeeper.

“Youcanspeaknormally.”Kripasighed.“Youhavenoideahowmuchenergyittakestogetinyourheadanditisn’tthe

mostpleasantplacetobeginwith.”BhargavRamwalked,whileKripastruggledtofollow.Infrontofhim,Kripalookedolderanddirtier.TherewassomethingaboutBhargav,asenseofgrandeurandmajesty.

“Ineverallowedthat.”“DoyouthinkIhaveachoice?Sinceyournephewhasgoneastray,awayfrom

hisdestiny,youaretheonlyoneIcancounton.”Bhargav sat on the ice platform, which he had conjured up, harnessing the

energyofSoma.“Inhisdefense,hewasneversupposedtofollowadestiny,afterthatcurseand

all,thepoorkid…”Bhargav laidhispalmsflat.“No.Hewas.Hewaspromisedtheheavens ifhe

wouldagreeto itandfollowit.Buthedidn’t.Andhe’shiding.Hecouldbeafargreater problem than Adharm right now. He was last seen in the Temple ofShiva…”

Kripa’sbloodrancold.“IthoughtIhadblockedthatplacewell.”“Apparently you didn’t.He found it.” Bhargav stamped his feet, and a deep

crackformedontheicyfloor.Kripa’sheartskippedabeat.“IfhegetshishandontheSwordofShiva,weareingreattrouble.Wearestill

stuckwiththeheroyouthinkheis.”Kripashookhishead.“He isandIcanfeel it.Yousaw it foryourself. Iwas

rightthere,showingyoueverything.”“Isawwhathedid,buthe’sweak.”Bhargavlistlesslyremarked.“Howwillhe

defeatthepropheticevil?NoonesoemotionalshouldbeallowedtobeDharminthefirstplace.Idon’tknowwhattheGodsplannedforhimtodo.”

Kripashookhishead.“No,Iseethegreatergoodinhim.Youcallitemotional;mate,butIcallitstrength.Fornogoodcomeswithcoldcalculations,mindyou.”

Lord Bhargav Ram turned. He walked towards Kripa. “Says the man whoorchestratedallofthis.Weren’tyoutheonewhopaidtheMlecchasintokidnappingthe boy’s father so he would show what he’s really capable of, and thenbackstabbed theMlecchas,whodidn’t knowwhatwas coming for them?All thetime consistentlymakinguseof yournomdeplume andusingmiddlemen todo

yourwork?”Kripa’sheartsank.“Ididitatyourcommand.Don’tblameme.Iworkforyou.

Atleastitworked.Wedidn’twaitallthistimefornothing,ehmyfriend?”“I’mnotyourfriend.”Bhargavfurrowedhisbrows.“Isensegreatawakeningof

theAdharm.Soonwewillfaceanadversary.Iwonderifthefatesareplayinggameswithus.Wehadtriedsomuchfortheprophecytonotstart,butthefatesbypassedusandmadeustheirprey.Ididn’twanttheAgeofAdharmtostart,butnowIfeelitisaboutto.”

“Iwasoneday late, Iknow,”Kripanodded.“Otherwisewewouldn’thave aDharm as of now,” Kripa said, but he knew the fates would have improvisedaround that as well and done what was written according to the scriptures. TheWords.

“ThelastAgehadbeenhorribleforus.Weallwerevictims,”Bhargavpaused,as if he had let out toomuch of his emotions. “Iwant you to do the necessaryarrangements,gethimreadyandbringhimtome.Hemusthavetheswordbeforeanythingelse,andmustbetrained;otherwisewewilllose…again.”

Kripanodded.“Youhavemyword.”Andthenhischestjerkedandhewaspulledfromsomewhere,everythinggoing

blackaroundhim.Thesoundofchirpingbirdsandthesmellofsuraoverpoweredhim,untilhefelthardkickingagainsthisthighs.

Hiseyesopenedfast,watchingtwoindividualsstandinginfrontofhim.Theywerefamiliar.Hewasawayfromtheiceandthecoldness.Itwassomethingaboutsnow, and the north, that horrified him, especially the mortifying lopsided andjaggedhills.

Kalkihadaparrot sittingonhis shoulderwhichwasoddbutmadesense.Atleast, it followed theWords—what it said.He’s the real deal. ThankGod.No moresearchingfortheheroanymore.

Hesighedwithagrinonhisface.Thiswasthetriumphantreturnofthesecretmanipulator,Kripacharya.Hewantedtocongratulatehimself.

“Whatintheheavensareyousmilingabout,drunkard?Wakeupandspeaktomyfriend.Youhavehadenoughsleepfortoday.”

Kalki knelt. He had a lot of scars, visible through his loose tunic. He hadbrownerskinthanmostofthefolksatShambala.

“Weneedtotalk,”hesaid,pursinghislips.Ihadfiguredso.KripastretchedhisarmsandthenlookedbackatKalki.“WoulditbeweirdifI

tellyouthatIwasjustdreamingaboutyou?”

Andboththevisitorssharedalookofpuzzlementwitheachother.

“Youshouldleave,”KalkitoldBala,astheyreachedtheSomaCaves.“Thankyouforcoming.”

“Areyousure?”histhick,hoarsevoiceblurted.“Yes,Iam.Ineedtodealwiththisalone.Gobackandseeifmymotherneeds

anyhelp.”Balanoddedinunderstandingandthenwentoffwithhismacedanglingfrom

hisshoulders.Kalkismiledasherealizedhewasoneofthefewfriendsaround.KalkiturnedtofaceKripa,whowasstandinggazingatthewonderfulorchids

thatcircledtheSomaCaveswhoseexteriorhadbeenblockedbyahugeboulder.“Whydidyoubringmehere?”“Youaskedmehowyour fatherknewme.Well this iswherewemet for the

firsttime.”Helaidhishandsout.“Hewasaneatfellow,mate,andaworriedmanatthetimeImethim.”Hepaused.“Itwasbeforeyouwerebornorat least,youwereabouttobeborn.”

“Howoldareyou?”Kalkiasked.“Morethanhundred,butI’velostcountnow.”“Howisthatpossible?Youdrinklikeit’stheendtomorrow.”Kripasmiledindulgently.“BecauseIhavebeengifted,thoughthecorrectterm

wouldbe‘Endowed’.”“Endowed?”“Yes.”Hesaid.“Youbelievethis istheonlyAgewelivein,fullofpeaceand

chaos.No.Therewerea lotofYugs,orAges tobeprecise, andIwas inoneofthem,thelastofit.IhadsavedplentyoflivesandIhadbeenendowedbythelastAvatar.Achanceatimmortality.”

Kalki couldn’t believe his ears. He had read about immortals, the ones whowouldliveonforever.

“TheEndowedarealsoknownastheChiranjeevs.”“That’simpossible.”“So is your strength,mate.”Kripagrinnedcheekily.. “Don’t think Ihavenot

noticed that.Arjan,yourbrother,mustbeburning toask thequestion—howcanhisbrotherwithstandmultiplearrowswithoutdying?”

Kalkifeltembarrassed.ThelookofsuspicionhadcrossedArjan’sfaceandeventheothervillagerswhohadwitnessedthemiracle.

“Wedon’tliveinanordinaryworld,mate.Notanymore,notsincetheAncientshavedieddownandtheBreakinghashappened.”Thewordswerejustflyingoverhishead.

“Howdoyouknowmyfather?”“Letmestartfromthebeginning.”Hesatcross-leggedontheground.“Every

YughasDharm,thehero,andAdharm,theevil.ThelastAge,whereIhadplayedaprominentpart,hadhadaviciouswar.IthadaheronamedLordGovind.”

Kalki was mesmerized, for he recalled the name. It was during the historylessonthathehadheardaboutthevalourofLordGovind,astrangeadvisortothekingsofAryavarta,whohadhelpedtheminwinningtheMahayudh.Theywereallhistory.

“Hewas theAvatar of LordNarayan, or in simplewords, LordVishnu, theGodofallGods.”Kripasmiled.“Orat leasthethoughthewas.Ineverbelievedtheman.Theyareallbogus,yousee.ThescripturessaythatNarayan,whenhehaddepartedfromIllavarti,hadpromisedtoreturnineveryAge,whenevilwouldstrikeinadifferentform.HewouldbecometheAvatar.Idon’tknowhowtruethatis.Ichoose not to believe in this as I feel Govind chose his own path rather thanfollowing thepathofNarayan. I’ll come to the reasoningbehind it.”Hepaused.“Lord Govind had given me and my fr…not friend, but yes, an accomplice, asacred duty of never letting this Age come again. He didn’t believe in theprophecies,orthechosenones.Hefeltitwasstupid.Hewantedtoendthecauseofallevil—Somas.HefeltSomaswerewhatmadetheheroesandmadmenandhe

feltwasbesttoendthelineofmadmenifitmeantsacrificingaheroofthisAge.”Hesignalledovertothecaves.“Hewantedmetostopitwithmynephewandmyaccomplice.Myaccomplice

had toundergo severepenance forhehad committed a great crime, and to seekredemption,hehandedmethedutytotravelalonearoundthiscountry,andfindingtheSomasanddestroyingthem.”

“Whataboutyournephew?”Kripa’sfaceturnedgrave.“Hewentonadifferentpath.Idon’tknowwhathe

believed in, but he just left. Iwas all alone and I did it.Constant travel leads tofatigueandsoIdrinktocarryonwithmyarduousmission.LordIndrahadspreadthe power of Somas across the country and they were all scattered so it wasdifficult,youknow.”

“Idon’tunderstandonething.WhydidLordGovindbelievetheSomaswereevilsincetheywerethegiftsoftheGods?”

“Not necessarily,” he said. “Lord Indra had good intentionswhen he spreadthesestones,butwhathedidn’trealisewas—theyweren’tforManavs.Theyweretooweaktohandlethemfortheyweretoosinful.Theywouldgomad,theywouldmakepeoplecrazy.That’swhythelastYughadaMahayudh.ItwasbecausemanyhadinhaledtheSomafragrance.That’swhyGovinddidn’twantpeopletohaveitanymore.”

“Didhehaveit?”“Yes.”“Howdidn’thegomad?”Kripa thoughtfully contemplated. “I am not sure about that.We aren’t. The

spiritual side says that there are theDharmandAdharm, theonly twoentities ineachYugwhocantakethepowerofSomasanduseitforgoodandevilpractices,respectively.Andsciencesayssomearejustbuiltbetterimmunologically.Theyhavebettergenesorbetterframestowithstandit,withbettermentalfaculties.Wedon’thaveadefinitiveanswertothisquestion.”

“SotheAdharmcanalsowithstandthepowerofSoma?”“Yes.”“Didyoufindhim?”“Notasofnow.Butmyaccomplicesayshe’sclosetogettinghim.”“WhatabouttheDharm?Didyoufind…waitaminute…”Kalkinarrowedhis

eyesasKripacontinuedtosmileathim.“YouthinkI’mDharm?”Kripanodded. “Nowcomes your father in thepicture. Ihad travelled across

thecountry to reach thisgodforsakenplace. I reachedandrealizedherewere the

SomaCaves.IknewIhadtodosomething,soIdecidedtoclosethem.”Kalkilookedatthemoundsofrock.“Howdidyoudothat?”“Ihavemytricks,”Kripasmiled.“Therearesomechemicalmixturesthatcan

lead toablast. I’ll teachyousometime.”Hepaused.“Ihaddonemy jobwhenIwasattackedbyafigure.Hehitmeandscoldedmefordoingthis.AndIstoppedhim,trappinghimusinghisownstrengthagainsthim.Hewasn’tafighter,Icouldtell,buthisarmswerestrong.Hewasyourfather.”

Kalki never imaginedVishnu to be someonewhowould hit a fly let alone aman.Butthen,Kripawassomeonewhocouldgetonyournerves.

“HesaidtheSomaswereGod’sgifts.Itoldhimitwaswrong,peoplegomadbecauseof it. It’snot the rightway.”Hecontinued.“Andhe toldmeaboutyou,abouthowyourmotherwas so sickduringherpregnancy andhehadbroken allrules, stolen the nectar out of the stones and given it to her, hoping the Godswouldhelpher.Andshebecameallright.Lateron,whenyougrewup,Vishnusawsignsofyourstrength.Hewasshocked,buthealsorealizedtheycouldbegiventootherssoweallcouldbestronglikeyou.Hewaswrongandnaïve.”

Kalkirecalledhowhisfatherwouldsayhewasspecial,hewaschosen.“And at thatmoment, Iwas curious.Never has it happened that the Somas

couldtransferitspropertylikethis.Yourmotherwasn’tgiftedanyway.Itwasyou.Yougotthepower.Andyoudidn’tgomadordie.Youwerefine; infact,heroic.YouwereaspittingimageofLordGovind;thesamenobility,valour,andmorality,butalsothearrogance.YoumademebelieveinDharm.ImadeVishnuunderstandallofitandhegottheidea,whichwasthatitwasrighttoletyougrowintoagoodperson.”

“ButIknew,”hecontinued,“thatyouhadtobelookedover,thattheamountofSomayougotwasdiluted.Maybeyouwerejustlucky.ButyouprovedmewronginthebattlewithMlecchas.Youaretherealdeal,mate.”

Kalkiclenchedhisjaw.“Idon’tthink…Idon’tknow…”“TheAdharmisclose;Kalki.”Hecameforward.“Andyouneedtodecide.Are

yougoingtostandby,watching ithappen,orareyougoingtostopit?TheDarkAgeoftheAdharmiswheretheworldendsandwedon’twantinnocentcasualtiesagain,notliketheMahayudh.”

“What if it doesn’t come, you know? You have closed all the Somas. I waslucky;itwasjustthat,”Kalkipaused.“Whydidn’tyoudestroyit,ratherthanclosingit?”

Kripalookedatthetemplethatwasmadeoutofthecaves.“Becauseoneday,andtherewillbethedaywhentheDarkAgeends,wewillallhaveenrichedminds,

andonthatday,whenthesinswillbeexhausted,thedrinkoftheGods,thisSomawillbeopenedtoeveryoneandeveryonewillbeabletouseit.Ihavecloseditofftillthen.”

TherewassilenceuntilKripaspokeagain.“Andforyourinitialquestion.”Kripalaughedathimself.“MyaccompliceandI

oftenlaughaboutthis.EventhoughwetriedstoppingtheDarkAge,topreventtheRise of Adharm and even Dharm, the fates didn’t allow us. It stopped us.Sometimesyoucan’tcheat;karmaalwayscomesaroundanddoeswhatthedestinyhas planned. So if you think, the Somas are closed and anyone won’t get it tobecome the next Adharm, there will always be a surprise planned for you,somethingyouwon’tbeexpecting.Thisishowtheworldspitsatandmakejokesatyou.”

Kripadidn’tsound like thedrunkardhewas.Rather,he looked likeamanofwisdomandknowledge,someoneKalkireallyneededinhislife.

“How?”hequietlyasked.“We need to leave Shambala as soon as possible, for the Mahendragiri

Mountains,wheremy accomplicewill teach you theways of theAvatar tomakeyoubecomeworthyandfightevilwhenitrises.”

Kalkinodded.“Ihavesomanyquestions,andyetsuchfewanswers.Myfatherknewallalongandhenevertoldme.”

“Because he didn’t want to believe it. He felt it was best for you to growwithouthavingtheburdenof thatknowledgeonyourshoulder.Butnowyouareold,youarestrong,andyouareready.”

“Who are you?”Kalki turned. “I know about everyone except you and yourmysteriousnepheworaccomplice.HowdoIknowyouarenotAdharm?”

“Mate,Iamfarfromthat,thoughIcannotrevealmynephew’sidentitytoyou,”hechuckled.“Thepointis,mynameisKripaAcharya.”

“Acharya?That’sgiventotheguruswhohandleGurukuls,isn’tit?”“Henceme.”Kalki walked to the cave. He touched the inner granite rocks and felt the

strengthofit.Theywerehereforgood.“Youwon’topenthisagain?”“Notfornow.”“WhatifIneedmoreofthis?”“It’snot good; it killspeople’sminds,”Kripa said. “Whenyou are ready and

trained,youcandoso.Butrightnow,theamountyourfatherendedupgivingyoustill affects you. Soma is good when used once. For the Dharm perhaps, it is

healthy,butmoreconsumptioncanbetrickyforwehaven’ttriedit.”“ButifI’mDharm,IcansustainmoreingestionofSoma,right?”“Wedon’tknowandfrankly,mate,wedon’twanttotry.”Heshookhishead.

“Wedon’twanttoseehowitwouldaffectyou,evenifitmeanssacrificingforthegood.Wedon’twanttoseewhattheflipside is.It’sscary,mate.Youneedtobecarefularoundit.”

“WhataboutLordGovind?”Kripanodded.“HehadmorebeforetheMahayudhwasabouttobegin,toget

hispowerscharged.Itdidn’tgoverywell.Hedidgetthepower,butum…itkindofgavehimasideeffect.Hisskinturnedblue-black.Itcouldn’twithstandtheeffects.It’sscary,Itoldyou.Don’tconsumemoreunlessit’sabsolutelyimportant—thosewereLordGovind’swords.”

Therewasanabsolutesilence.KalkirecalledthepaintingsandtheportraitsofLordGovindwherehewasshownblueordark.HisGurusaidit’sbecausehewasthewarriorwhofoughtvaliantlyandblue iswhatrepresentsvalour, thus itendeduplikethat.Theexplanationwasclearlyallbogusnow.

Kalki shook his head. “I have too much in my mind; I will talk to youtomorrow.”Andwiththathemoved,alltheimagesinhismindcominginfrontofhim.

Ratri had chosen the books from all over Illavarti, carrying each one of thempersonally,orbyherallies,tobeputinthelibraryofIndragarh,theprestigiouscityinthekingdomofKeekatpur.BorninthevillagesofIndragarh,shehadpromisedto uphold the culture of Indragarh. Butmuch had gone astray asmany hoppedontotheviolentbandwagon,somethingshehadalwaysdetested.

Ratrihadchosenandtriedreallyhardtoworkherwaythroughit,stepbystep.Andthatwaswhatshehadbeengiftedwith—alibrary.Shewasexuberantaboutit.Thatwas her ideal dream, to live and breathe among books. But it camewith aprice. King Vedanta had taken away her power over the hospitality and culturalprogrammes.Nomore theatreor flyersor free speech talksagainst any injusticesdone by Tribals. Truth be told, Ratri was never against the inclusion of Tribals.TheywereclearlythelessdevelopedraceinfrontoftheraceofManavs.Butthenitwentagainstherwhenhetookawayfromherthepositionthatgaveherpower.

“Uh,wedon’twantany issuessurroundingtherecenteventsandIknowyouwant to be the voice of the people, but the government can’t handle this as ofnow.”Andhehadleftheralone.“Itwouldbebetterifyouconcentrateonbuildingour national library for now, till things begin to cool down and then you’ll bereinstatedagain.”

ThishadallhappenedbeforethemomentLakshmihadcomeforherhelp.Shewas proud to have a niece like her, who strived for knowledge. And she wasbeautiful,not just in termsofherphysical exterior,but shewas alsobeautifulbynature. Shewas a goodperson and theywere hard to find nowadays.Notmanyrememberedwhatitmeanttobeagoodperson.

Ratrihad taken revengeonVedantabyusingherpowers to find the leftoverweapons from the armoury, which she had tried to pass off as theatre dummyprops.

But now, given the library, she wanted Lakshmi more than ever. It was atemporaryshiftfromherpowersasthehospitalityminister,butitwasarduous.Theentire library, though stocked with all genres, had no alphabetical listing ororderliness.Her compulsive disorder had kicked in and shewas alreadyworkingwithanassignedYaksha,Kumar.Hewouldspeakinaverystrangedialect,halfofitinhisownnativelanguage.

Thoughasofnow,thingshadgrownquiet,withoutKumarvocalizinganything.Fromthefirstfloorofthelibrary,amongsttheleather-boundbooks,Ratrituckedalockofhairbehindherearsandlookeddown.“Whereareyou,Kumar?”

“Madam?”Thevoicequippedfromfaroff.ThefigurestumbledexcitedlyuntilhereachedRatri’svision.“Whathappened,Kumar?”“There’savisitorspeciallytoseeyou.”“TellhimorherI’mbusy!Don’tyouseeI’mbusy?I’mbloody,damnbusy.”“Butmadam,itis…itisLordKali’ssister,PrincessDurukti.”“YoumeanLadyDurukti?”“Yes, yes, that…” he chattered in his own language, “she wants to talk to

you…”andhisvoicetrailedwhentheboomingvoiceofawomancameforth.“I’lltakeitfromhere,Kumar.”“Oh your highness.” Kumar propelled himself, bowed and knelt down in

respect.Duruktisignalledforhimtostand,asherguardstookhimaside.Ratri lookedatDurukti,wonderingif itwasabouttheweaponsshehadgiven

awayinamomentofhastydecision.WhathasLakshmidonewiththem?AllRatriwastoldintermsofanexplanation,wasthatsheneededtotrustLakshmi.

AndhereLadyDuruktiwas,bearingdownuponherather library.Shewasaprettywoman,quitemajesticforherage,butshehadasenseofgrandeurthatwentwith her image. Ratri didn’t find it strange, for she was all dressed up. Physicalappearances,though,werejustsocietalinjunctionsaccordingtoRatri.

“Yes?HowcanIhelpyou?”Ratricametothepoint,withoutwastingtimewith

nicetiesorpolitesmalltalk.“Ihearyouarethemosteducatedwomaninthiscity.”Hervoicewasgentle.Ratri was impressed. Moreover, because Durukti had just complimented her

andshehadlikedit.“Yakshini is a complex language.”Durukti was still on the ground floor. “It

tookme awhile to learn it aswell, but I promisedmyself to learn all theTriballanguagesbeforeIwouldbringthemtogetherwithmybrother.”

“Youdidagoodjoboutthere,mylady,buthowcanIhelpyou?I’mquitebusyandit’llbegreatifyoucangettothepoint…”

“HaveyouheardofShambala?”Ratri lookedupfromthebooks,peeringthroughtheironrailsthatsupported

thefirstfloor.“Shambala?”“Yes.”Iamfromthere,Ratrithought.“I have heard about the Soma Caves there. Is it true that they hold the

medicinalcapacitytocuretheweakandthedying?”“Theflowers,yes.Youneedaqualifiedbotanisttoextractthejuicesoutofit.I

hadacoldanditcuredit.”“I’mnottalkingabouttheflowers.I’mtalkingaboutthecaves.”Shefurrowedherbrows.“Youhaveheardthebogusstoriesaswelltheneh?I’ll

justbeverypracticalwithyou,mylady.Iamawomanofscienceandbooks.ThelastthingI’llreallybelieveinisabunchofstonesthatgiveyouflyingpowersandcureyourdiseases.”

“Flyingpowers?Ididn’tknowaboutthat.”“Ohwell,let’sjustsaypeoplewhoingestSomagetsuperhumanstrength,which

hasneverbeenproven,soIhardlybelieveit.”“Hasanyoneevertakenit?Ifyes,whatwerethesideeffects?”“Presently,no.Thecavesinthevillagehavebeenshutdownbythequakes.No

onecanenter.TherewasevidenceofSomaconsumptioninthepast,buttheyareall history book stories. They are all hearsay! Nothing true whatsoever, sincenothing was definitively proven! Prove me wrong and I’ll gladly agree to behanged.”

Durukti had a quiet, worried face. “I see. Just stories, then,” she spokedisappointedly.

“Juststoriesindeed,mylady.”“DoyouhaveamaptoShambala?”Ratri nodded. “Check theG isle, and themap ofKeekatpurwould be in it.

Manyvillagesaren’tlisted,butyoumightfindsufficientinformationonShambala.”Durukti signalled her guardsmanwho checked the line. She studied themap

intentlyasRatrislylypeeredoverhershoulderwhiledoingherwork.“Yougotit?”“Yes,”Duruktimusedquietly.“MightItakethisbookformyreading?”“Surely,” Ratri struggled to pull up a grin. “We haven’t started our

memberships,butyouarethefirstcustomer,sofeelfreetotakeitbutdon’tforgettoreturnit.Ihatedelayedreturns.”

“Don’tworry,”Duruktigentlysmiled.“Iwill.”Ratri waved her farewell as she left the library. Ratri rushed downstairs and

orderedKumartoclosethedoors.HedidsoandthenreturnedasRatrisatdownnexttoherstudytableandpulledoutapaper.Withaquillandanink,shebegantowrite.

“Whatiswrong,madam?”“Nothing.”Shebeganher letter toLakshmi.“Dowestillhavethemessenger

eagle?”“Yeswedo.”Shefoldedtheletterandsealeditsothatnoonewouldopenit.“Senditoverto

Shambala’smessagepost.”Kumarlookedattheletter.“Whathappened,madam?”Pursingherlips,Ratrisaid,“Myfamilyisindanger.”

Kalki had reached his hut. It was still the same. Regardless of whatever hadhappened, nothing changed about it. Bala stood like a guard outside.He lookedsorefromthewoundssustainedonhisback,ashestoodcrookedly,buthehadagentlesmileonhisface.Heentered,movingpastthelivingroomandmissinghisfather’s presence.Kalkiwishedhe could spendmore timewith himnow.Regretburntinsidehim,butherecalledthosemomentswhenhesharedwordsofwisdomwithhim.Hescannedtherooms,searchingforhismother.

Tohis surprise,Kalki realizedshewas foldingVishnu’sclothesandwrappingthemintoamound.

“Where’sArjan?”Kalkiasked.“Ithoughthewaswithyou.”“Heleftawhileback,”shesaidwithoutlookingathim.Kalkifurrowed.Wherecouldhego?Perhapsthefarm,whichhewouldcheck

afterhemadesurehismotherwasallright.“Mother,areyoufine?”Shelookedup.Shedidlooktiredandweary.Shehadlargebagsunderhereyes.“Areyou?”Kalkiclenchedhisjaw.“Stupidquestion,Iknow.”“No it’s fine,Kalki.Griefmakes you lashoutwhen youdon’twant to,” she

smiledwanly.“Butyoushouldneverletitovercomeyou.”“Why?”“Becauseit’stransient.”“I’llmisshim.”Shenodded,butdidn’tsayanything.“Whyareyoupackinghisclothes?”“I’ll give it to the beggars. He would have wanted to share with the less

fortunate.”Thatwashisfather.Kalkismiledtohimself.“I’msorryIcouldn’tsavehim.I

couldhaveifIwasinstinctive,butIwastoo…”“Iknowheisn’talive.Butthatdoesn’tmeanheisn’there.”Kalkicouldn’thelpbutthinkhowrightshewasaboutthis.“Don’tbe apologetic.When youwere given thosepowersby theGods, they

knewyoucouldn’tsaveeveryone.”Motherhadsaidthisinrhetoricterms,butshehadnoideahowtrueitwas,for

it had been the Gods who had given him the powers through the medium ofSomas.ShethoughttheyweregiftswhenKalkihadexhibitedtheminfrontofher.ItwasLakshmiandhisparentswhoknewhissecretwhichmadeKalkifeelguilty,forheshouldhavetoldArjanbynow.

Whyhadn’the?Diditscarehimastohowhewouldreact?“Notevenmyfather?”hepaused.“Hewasthemostimportantperson,theone

Ishouldhavesaved.”Sumatinodded.“Perhaps.Buteveryonehastheirtime.”Shecameforwardand

grabbedhis arms tightly. “Youshouldn’t let these thingsput youdown for thesethingsarewhathelpyougrowasapersonandbecomesomeoneextraordinary.Wethinktragedyiswhensomethingbadhappens,butIseeitdifferently.Ifeeltragedyisbad,butitmakesyouriseasahero,becauseitgivesyoucourageandasenseofreality.Thesearethetruesignsofaking.”

Kalki sniggered. “I’ll never be a king. I’ll hate wearing the damn crown forone.”

“Acrowndoesn’tmakesomeoneaking,”SheputherfaceagainsthischestandKalkicouldfeelthehottearsonhischest.

Hecouldn’thelpbuttearupaswell.“WhatifIhavetoleavethisplacetobecomethatking?WhatifIhavetolearn

thewaysforthat?”KalkirecalledtheconversationhehadwithKripaandhowhehadtoleaveShambalatobecometheAvatar.

Shedidn’tsayanything.

“ShouldI?”“Whydoyouask?”“DoIneedtohaveareason?”Therewasanotherpause.“VishnuyathtoldmesomethingthatIneedtotellyou.”“Yes?”Hisheartleaptwithinquisitiveness.“Strengthinapersondoesn’tdefineahero.Butwhereheuseshisstrength is

whatmatters themost. A hero isn’t born.He’smade. Through people, throughjourneysandmostofall,throughtragedy.”Shepulledback.“Youcangowhereveryouhaveto,Kalki,butdon’tforgetwhereyoucamefromandwhatmadeyouwhoyouare.Becauseweoftenforgetthepeopleorplacethatmadeuswhenwebecomesomething.Makesureyoualwayspreachloveandkindness,becausethere’slessofthatinthisworld,”

Kalkiwipedhertears.“HowwillIspreadkindness?”“Byreciprocating,”shesaid.“TheMlecchashadlessofthat,thustheylosttheir

objectivity.Ourworldwillbealotgreaterifwestopspreadinghate.”Kalkinodded.“I’llkeepthatinmind,Mother.Thankyou.”Andtheyembracedagain.

Kalkireachedthefarm.Arjanhadbeenstandingclosetothestable,watchingtheleftovercows.Hehadhugesacksofgrainpackedupandloadedonthebullockcarts.Theentirefieldseemedisolated,asthesunwasgoingdownandeveningwasaboutsetin,withthetwinklingstarsthatwouldbrightenupthesky.

ButArjanstoodalone, justwatching.Hedidn’twandernordosomething, toKalki’ssurprise.Kalkiwatchedfromafar.

“Idon’t knowwhatwe shoulddowith this,Kalki. I justdon’t know,”Arjansaidwithoutlookingback,hisbackfacingKalki.Arjanhadhisfingers,closetohislipsinathoughtfulgesture.Thatwasalwayswhathedidwiththem.

KalkifedsomegrainstoShuko,whowassittingonhisshoulder,ashewalkedtohisbrother.ThesundiedinthebackgroundasKalkistrolledalong.

“Withtheplace?”“Yeah.”Arjan’s scarwas starkly visible in the dusky light. Itwas horrendous

whathadhappenedtohim,butheworeitlikeitwasnothing.“Idon’twanttogiveitaway.”

“Weshouldn’tthen.”“Alloffather’sworkershavediedandsohashe,”ArjansaiditflatlybutKalki

knew therewereemotions simmeringbeneathhe surface. “Whowill takecareofit?”

“Perhapsweshould.”Arjan scoffed, “I believewe can, butwas it always your dream to be a dairy

farmer?”“Dreamsareoftennotaccomplished,”Kalkisaid.“Forthose,whodon’tdreambig.”“Andwhatdoyoudreamtobecome?”“Travelmostprobably,learnhistory,meettribesandculturesofeverykindand

notjusttheoneswhowereallowedundertheTreatyofIndragarh,butalsothosewho are hidden from us.” He paused. “I read in a western historical book thatthere’s a tribe that suffers from a rare hair disease—they look like monkeys. Itwould be a wonder to see them. Just because of how they looked, they wereoutcastsandthrowninthejungles.”

“Seeing monkey people?” sniggered Kalki. Kalki. “That sounds interesting.”Arjanalsosmiledattheridiculousideahehadformedinhishead.

“Whatdoyoudreamabout?”Thatwas a questionKalki had to ask himself, for he had forgotten to think

abouthimselfatall.Hehadsomuchgoingonthatherealizedhehadnopassion,nodrive,andnohopesatpresent.Hehadbeen lost,but thisquestionpromptedhimtostrainhisbrainandthinkhard.

WhatdoIwanttobecome?“Iknowitsoundsabysmal…”hechuckledatthemerethoughtofit,“butIjust

wanttobehappyandcontent.”“Doyounotdreambig?Doyounotwanttotravel?”Kalki rounded his arms around his little brother. “Perhaps I chose not to.

Perhapsbigdoesn’talwaysmatter.It’salsothelittlethings,specksofhappinessthatwegothroughinadaythatweshouldlookoutfor.It’sfunnyhowgriefmakesyourealizethegoodthingsyouhaveoverlookedinlife.”

“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”Kalki grabbed his neck and began pulling his hair. “Like my little, stupid

brother.”Arjanpushedhimwithagrin.“Youdon’twanttotackleme.Afterthisscar,I

haveapower…holdon,whydoyouhaveaparrotonyourshoulders?”“He’smyfriend.”

Arjanburstoutlaughing,tothepointthathecollapsedonthefloor,hishandclutchinghisstomach.“Youare…the…funniest…personever.”

“Shutup.”Kalkiwasflusteredinagoodway.Hecouldn’thelpbutsmileaswellaboutit.

Arjanstoppedlaughingandremainedonthefloor.Kalkibegantoexplainthestory behind acquiring him when he was interrupted by Lakshmi. She was indifferentclothes,pantingandsweatinghardasshehadanoteclutchedtightlyinherhand.Arjan’sexpressionchangedandsodidKalki’s.

“Whathappened?”“Yourmother…uh…”shetookdeepbreathsasshefoughttocatchherbreath,

“shetoldme…you…were…here.”Shewipedthesweatfromherbrow,herhairalltangledup.

“Whathappened?”Arjanpursued.“What’swrong?”“What’swrong is thatLadyDurukti…is coming to visit the village and she’s

notcomingasafriend,”andsheshowedthenotetothetwobrothers.

The village councilmeeting had been held. All the elders were sitting under thepeepal treewhile the folkswere sittingon theground.Kalkinoticed thiswas thebiggestnumberofpeopleatameeting.Totheheavens,hewouldneverbeapartoftheseboringmeetings,butSarpanchDevadattahadissuedamandatoryattendanceregardingit,foritwasamatteroflifeanddeath.

ItwasasurpriseforKalkiwhenhehadreachedDevadatta’shutandfoundhewasrushingforthemeeting.

“Ineedyouforamoment.Wehavesomethingimportanttotellyou…”Kalkihadbegun,flankedbyhistwocompanions,LakshmiandArjan,whostoodbehindhim,equallydumbfounded.

“All of it can wait, boy, we have pressing issues to address right now.”Devadattahadshrugged.

Kalkinowstoodamongthemanyinthecrowd,whileArjanstoodnexttohim.SumatiwasonKalki’sside,clutchingontohersaree.Kalkiscannedtheotherfolksofthevillageinthecrowd.TherewasRoshanMitraandhisparents.TherewasLylaSarvesh and her twin brothers, Agastya and Andhaka. There was Sagar and hissisterMaya.Manyofhisage,manywhoKalkihadgrownupwith,stoodlikesolidfigureswaitingforthemomentousnewstoberevealed.

“Iwonderwhatitcouldbe,”Arjanspokequietly.“NotmoreimportantthananarmyofTribalsransackingourlovingvillage.”KalkishotLakshmiaglance.“IthoughtyouhatedShambala.Whatwasityou

hadsaid?Godforsakenvillage?”Hesmiled.Lakshmifrowned,herfacecontortingindisgust.“Well,clearlyIdidn’tmeanit.

IloveShambalaeventhoughitgetsonmynervessometimes.”“Ifyoubothcanstopquarrelling,themeetingisaboutto…”“Shush,Arjan!”Sumati’stonefuriously.Arjan just looked at her in surprise. He wasn’t even talking. Kalki chuckled

duringtheserioussituationandLakshmicouldn’thelphersmileatthemoment.“What in theheavensareyou laughingabout?Where isyourparrot?”Arjan’s

nostrilsflaredinindignation.Devadatta,standinguponthepedestal,beganhisspeech,whileheheldascroll

wrappedwith a royal insignia. “Hello there, everyone.Namastey. Before I beginwithwhatiswritteninthisscroll,Iwouldliketotellyouthatthelastfewdayshavebeen difficult for us and for this village aswe lost an importantmember of oursociety—VishnuyathHari.Itwaswithgreatadmirationthatwealljoinedhandstoprotectourown.Andeventhoughwewereabletogivethempunishmentforwhattheydeserved,wewereunable to saveVishnu. Itwas a great loss for us andwemournwithhis family in thismomentof grief.”Everyonebowedwith a signofrespectatKalkiandhismother.

Kalkihadn’texpectedthisandithurttorealisehowmanyliveshisfatherhadtouched. But it also startled him howDevadatta took all the appreciation of therescuemissionforVishnu,whenitwasKalkiwhohadinstigatedthemintoaction.

“WeallhadjoinedtosaveabrotherandtodayIhavecalledeveryonetodothesame.ThisscrollcamefromIndragarh,theofficeofLordKali,theCommanderofIndragarh,whohassentanoticetowelcometheminourvillagebutatagravecost.Theywanttoexcavateourtemple—therestingplaceofLordIndra,Indravan.”

“Excavate?”Everyonegaspedattheword.Kalki knew that meant basically destroying the entire place to get the Soma

stones for themselves. But how did the outsiders know about the significance

behind it?Kalki lookedover, searching forKripa and foundhim, leaningwith amugofsurainhishandashehadadirefaceaswell.

“Ifwedonotsupportit,wewillbetermedas‘rebellious’andwillbeattacked,”hereadtheletterout.ItgavepeopleshiversdowntheirspinesthemerethoughtofTribalsransackingtheirvillage.“Anysupportandlovewillberewardedgreatly.”

Someonefromthecrowdsaid,“Idon’tunderstand.Itisourtemple.Whataretheycomingtoexcavate?”

“PerhapstheSomaStones.”“Aretheyevenreal?”someoneelsecried.“Hasanyoneseenthem?”“Yes,manyhave,”Devadattasaid.“Butnoonedaredtotouchthemforthey

weresacred.Theyweresupposedtobeadmiredfromfarandworshipped,astheywere the last remnants of Lord Indra.” He paused. “The laws written by ourancestors were clear—those who touched the caves would be met by severepunishment.” And yet Vishnuyath broke all those laws of the village and wentinside the cave, for the love and safety of his wife, to save her from pain.“Unfortunately the earthquake led to our temple’s destruction, even though itsessencehadnotvanished.Itwasstillthere.”

Everyonewassilent.“Iamingreatconfusion.Idonotknowwhattodo.Asanelder,it’smydutyto

protectthetraditionsofourvillage,butatthecostofdestroyingit?”Nooneknewtheanswertoit.Theonlyplaceintheentirevillagewhichunified

the entire community would be gone. Kalki knew this could mean the rise ofAdharm, for if the Somas were out in public, perhaps in the hands of the evilTribals,thingswouldreallygooutofhand.Ifhecouldpreventitfromhappening,hewouldn’t have to leave Shambala and itwould be over.Nomore theAge ofAdharm,nomoreDarkAge.

Kalkiraisedhisvoice.“Ihavesomethingtosay.”Thesilencehadbeenbroken.With the elders, Devadatta just watched Kalki, astonished. Kalki wondered

whatthoughtscrowdedintheoldman’sthickbrain.ButDevadattasimplynodded.Kalkisteppedup.Lifehadchangedsomuchthathewasthespeakernow,no

morethe listener.“Sarpanchjisays it’sourtraditionsthatweneedtoprotectandhe’sright.Shambalaisasmallvillage,butthemostreveredforthereasonthatourtraditionsarewhatmakesusgreat.Wearenotwarriors,butwearepeoplewhoarereadytofighttillwedieforthisplace.Iwouldneverstandasidewhilewhatweprayto isgettingdestroyed justbecauseweareafraidofabattle. Iwouldrather fight.Now,manywouldbeafraidofthis,andtheyshouldbe,buttogether,asaunifiedforce,wecanstopthebandofarmies.Ifweshowourwill,wecandowonders.”

Someofthemnodded,somedidn’t.“Howwillwestopthemwithoutweapons?”RoshanMitrawastheonetoask.

His parents were shocked at the question he asked, perhaps thinking of him ashavingfallenforthewordsofKalki.

Kalkididn’thaveagoodenoughreason.HelookedatLakshmi,whojusttiltedherheaddowninembarrassment.

“Wehavealittlebit.”“ThatwouldbeallrightfortheMlecchas,”LylaSarveshinterrupted.Shewasa

strongly built female unlike her brothers. “But not for the army from the royalcity.”

“MightIaddsomething?”asqueakyvoicecamefromthecrowd.KalkiloweredhisbrowsatthesightofKripa.“Lass,wecanmakeweaponsif

wehaveto.Weareinthemiddleofajunglewithsuchvarietiesoftrees.”“Whoareyou?”Agastya,brotherofLyla,asked.“Yeah,whoareyou?”Andhakarepeated.“CallmeKripa,okay?”Kalkismiled.KripaAcharyawasgettingdefensive.“But Shambalans aren’t warriors, beta,” another village elder prompted.

Devadatta seemed toagree,buthedidn’t show itverbally. “Wearepeacemakers.Ourancestorswerepeacemakersandourprogenywillbepeacemakerstoo.”

“Frankly, we don’t live in a time of peace.” Kalki’s eyes blazed, as he spitvenomwithhiswords,targetingallthosewhobackedawayfromtherealityofthissituation.“Whatourancestorsdidshouldn’treallymatter,butwhatwedoiswhathistorywillwriteaboutus.”HelookedatKripa.“Saywhatyousay,butatleasthehas an idea. We need heroes and innovators. Not cowards.” He glanced atDevadatta.

AndthenKalkitookthestandwithout lettingtheeldersspeakagain.“Idon’tknowwhat thevillage eldersplan todo,but Iwillbe recruiting for thiswith thehelp ofmy friends. Andwewill be ready, so I pleadwith the elders, reject thisscroll, tell themwearerebelliousandletthemcome.Allthosewhovolunteerformycausecanmeetmeatmyplaceatnoontodiscussthearrangements.Let’sprovewearen’tjustanyvillagetheycanbully.”

And with that he stepped down from the pedestal, hearing a thin round ofapplausefromafewpeople.

Vasukihadbeenwaitingforhissisterathisfort.Itwasclosetocompletionandhisroomhadbeensetup,guardedbymorethanfiftyNagaswhowouldoperateintwoshifts,morningandnight.Hehadpromisedhimselfhewouldnotletthemleaveatany cost and whoever felt exhausted would be exiled from their work as aguardsman. Ulupi had been promoted to the rank of the General, policing andparadingaroundstreets,findingwhocouldhavekilledTakshak.Thewound,whenexamined by the shaman, had revealed thatTakshakwas killed by aNaga blade,distinctforitsthinandcurvededges.

He knew it wasKuvera.He had some role in this.Kuvera had been alwaysjealousofVasuki,eversincehelaidhiseyesonthemani.TheNagaswerepopularamongtheDakshinis;theonlypeoplewhowererespectedfortheircleanlinessandtheirmid-levelroyalstatus.

AllofithadchangedlaterwhenKuveradecidedtostealtheonepreciousmanithatwas thesymbolof theirpower. Itwascalled theNaagmani,used toworshipShesha, the snake that coiled around the neck of Lord Vishnu and was hisprotector.HewasconsideredthehighestGodtoNagas.Therewasevenatempleclose toVasuki’scity,Naagpuri,wherea largestatuemadeofbronzeandcopperwashoused.Onitsforeheadwasthefabledmani.Andithadbeenstolen.Theyhad

seenitbeingtakenbyaYaksha,forthefootstepsweresmalljustliketheabhorrentKuvera’s.

Vasuki,alongwithTakshak,hadattackedAlakpur,thedomainoftheYakshas,ascarcewastelandamongstsanddunes.Vasukihadlost,butlaterwhentheTribalagreementwithKalihadcomeforth,Vasukihadstatedthattheonlywayhewouldprovidetheresourcesandhismen,was ifKuverawouldgivehimthemaniback.KuverareluctantlyagreedasKalihadmadehimseethebiggerpicture.

Andthatwasthehistorybehindit,fightingandquarrelingwithKuvera,withnolove,onlyhate.EvenwhenVasukiagreedtothepact,hehadseconddoubtsaboutworkingwithKuvera,butKalihadpromisedhimequalityandnohindrance,allofwhichnowseemedlikefables.NowhewassomanymilesawayfromNaagpuriandhewishedtogo,buthecouldn’t.Hewouldbelabelledacowardbyhispeople.Hewasstillacoward,inhisownopinion,butinahostileenvironment.

HehadsentagoodhugenumberofNagas forManasa to reach thecityandclose to the fortresswithoutanyhassle.Heevenmadesure that itwouldn’t looklikeaNagawascoming.Thefortgates,madeofiron,burstopenastheropesandthebranchthatbound itwere letoff.Enteringwiththecavalryand infantry, inawagonthatwasdrawnbythreehorses,hecouldseehissisterfromthetopofthefort.Hebrisklywalked,guardsfollowinghimashepassedthelaborers—whowereNagasfrombirth.Hecouldn’triskthemenialworkerstobeUdaiyasinanyway,forhehadseenhisfather’sassassination.

Theverythoughtofhisfather’sdeathslowedhispaceandhemeanderedabitbefore gainingpace andproceeding to the central chamber,wherewater spiraledfromfourdirections.Guardsworebreastplateswithsnakeinsigniaoveritandtheirswords’hilthadasymbolofShesha’sforehead.

Manasa exited the wagon, her one hand smaller than the other, somethingVasukihadstoppednoticing.Shewasbornwithadefect,alimphandthatpeoplewouldridiculeandVasukiwouldfeelinstantlyirritatedabout.Itwasnotsomethingtojokeabout.Itwasn’therfault.Butnowshedidn’tcare,forherhandjustdangledlimply,glovedinapurplesatincloth.Shewasdressedinahighcut,flowyrobe,andherhair,although longand loose,was tied intocoiledknotsat theend.Hereyeswerethesamebluecolourasherbrother.SheembracedVasukiandthewarmthofhisownbloodmadehimexuberant.He liked thathehad someone likeher rightnowinthecity.

“Thankyouforcoming.”“Always,”Manasasaid,havingahoarservoicethanmostNagawomen.“Why

don’tyoutellyourmentodressupwell?Hisstrapsareloose,hissheathistornand

his sandals are ripping.By thepoordesignsof it, theywon’t even last anhour iftheyfightinthese.”

VasukiwatchedthestrictManasa,olderthanhim,andtallerthanhim,scoldinghim.“Allrightcalmdown,sister.”Vasukipattedher,onearmgrabbingherwaistanddraggingheraway.

Shewas always a lover of designs, colours, fabrics and using odd plants andberries.Andyet,regardlessofallthisvanity,shehadthekeenestknowledgeofspiesandhowonecouldsurvivethelongestonbattlefields.Thelengthofatuniccoulddetermineaman’slifeexpectancyduringwaraswellashiskneepadsandhowhisswordwasdesigned.

Theyhadreachedhisroomwhichhadpristinewhitewalls,withbronzeplates,cupsandmugsstackedneatlyonalongtable.Heservedherwinewhilehedrankaswell.Heneededitmorethananyone.Hethensatonhischair.

“What happened? You told me in the letter that you are in the midst oftraitors.”

“Yes,Iam.IneedsomeoneIcantrustbymyside.”“Well, here I am, darling,” she grinned. “Your big sister is always here

wheneveryouneedher.”Vasukisighed,sippinghisdrink,touchingtheedgesofthegoblettohislips.He

begantellingheraboutTakshakandhowhehadsenthimtospyonVedanta.“Mydear,neverletathick-headedfellowlikeTakshakgoandspyonsomeone.

He knows nothing of spying. He thinks beating up individuals and demandinganswersisspyingwhilespyingisanartitself.Thewayyouspeak,thewayyoudress,thewayyoucarryyourself;allthatmatters.”

“Iknow.Iwasstupid.”“All’sfairnow,”shesaidherthreefavouritewordsthatVasukihadthemisery

ofhearingmultiple timesall throughhis life.“Weneedanewplan to takedownyourenemies,butforthatweneedtoidentifytheenemies.”

“Iknowtwoofthem.”“Greatandwhataboutthathandsomebutsicklyfellow,Kali?”“Oh yes, he’s sort of out of commission, unable to do his chores properly,”

mockedVasuki,almostspittingtheleftoverwineinhismouth.“Eh?”shesoundedalarmed.“Heandhissister, theyseemedastrongfitwith

eachother.Almostasurprise,darling,thattheyaren’tcapableenough.”“He’sweakanddelusional.”Vasukithumpedthegobletonthemahoganyside

table.“Itwasjustyesterday,Iremember,howwewereabletoescapetheclutchesofourownmenbetrayingtheirmasters.”

“And how we had triumphed over them, darling. I know,” smiled Manasa.“Civilwarsareacommonthingintribes.Youneedn’tbesurprised.Afterall,wearealluncivilizedinourpersonallives.”

“Wewilltriumphthisaswell.”Vasukistood,hisdrapedrobesslowlybrushingtheground,ashewalkedforward.Hewasaneatfellowforaking.Whileothershadbattlescars,helookedflawlessbecauseheneverfoughtinthefrontline,exceptthetimetheywereattackedoutsideIndragarhandKalihadsurprisinglystoppedthem.Hewasageniusbackthen,butapoorman’spignow.“Doyouhaveanyspiesasofnow?”

“Patience,darling.”Shecameforward,touchinghisrobeandslowlyturningitontheothersidesothegolden,lacedfabriccouldbeseenproperly.“Akingmustwearhisclothescarefully.”

Vasuki nodded, pursing his lips. “I know. I apologize. You have taught meenoughtonotmakethismistakecontinuously.”

“Anassassin, ifwethinkofhavingany,mustbeveryquickandunnoticeable,someonewhocanjustgetundertheskinofourenemiesandbeabletodethronethemwithoutevenlettingthemknow.”Shesmiledherlopsidedsmile.“Andwewillgetthiskindofaspythroughpatienceandthroughdestiny.LetLordSheshaguideus.”

Vasukinodded.“Asyousay.ButwhataboutKali?”Shedidn’tsayanything,butcontinuedtowatchVasuki.“Hewasofusetous

when he promised he would provide peace amongst all the tribes. If there’s nopeace,darling,”adevioussmirkliftedherlipsup,“whatuseishetousthen?”

Theywaited.Kalki sat outsidehis home for awhile, drifting into anuneasy sleep.Hewas

tired.Arjanwasleaningagainstthetreewhosecanopyshadowedtheirhut.Hewasplayingwith a coin, flipping and twisting it in the air, out ofmundane curiosity.Lakshmiwas readingabookandArjankept trying topeek into it.Balawasbusycleaninghismace.

SumatihadscoldedKalki tobemorerespectful towardsadultsandnotbargeinto a councilmeeting just because hewas able to convince themonce.Hewasenamored by the idea that theAvatar of this Agewas doing all of it.Did LordGovindallowhimself todoall this?But thenhewasamanwho lovedcurdandstoleit.Hehadhisownlikingsandflaws, just likeKalki,whosegreatestflawwashisverbosenature,whichoftenmadehimforgetabouthissurroundings.

Shukoappearedonhisshoulderandhelethimhaveapieceofbread.Afterawhile, when Shuko had occupied himself with his dietary fastidiousness, KalkirealizedKripahadn’tcome.Hewas theonewhohadsuggestedmakingweaponsout of natural forest resources, and yet he hadn’t come.Hewas anAcharya, yetsuchlackofpunctualityhardlysuitedhim.

There was a tale about a Mleccha, who was a noble one from the times in

Mahayudh. He wanted to be a great archer and he had the talent for it. TherespectableAcharya realized that hewas a threat to the hero of theAge and hemadetheMlecchagivehisthumbinreturn.Withoutthethumb,theMlecchawasnomoreagoodarcherand itwas this tragedy thatcosthimhis loveforarchery.Kalki knew that the Acharyas weren’t the noblest of men, even though theypursuednoblepractices.Therewasnever reallygoodorevil in thisworld.Therewerejustpeopleandtheirchoicesthatleadtodevastatingconsequences.Thestorywasapt,anditwastheonlyoneKalkirememberedfromhisGurukuldays.ItmadehimwondernowwhetherKripawasagoodmanafterall,forhis intentionswereoftenbeliedbyhisactions.

KalkiwasabitsurprisedastowhyKripahadnotdivulgedthenamesofeitherhisnephewortheaccomplice.Hethoughttohimselfthatperhapsthetimewasnotright,andeventuallyhewouldreceiveanswersoncehehaddefinitivelychosenthepathofrighteousness.

“Idon’tthinkanyoneiscoming,brother,”Arjanbeganwithahintofhumor.“Isupposeyourspeechwasn’treallythatimpactful.Wereyouimpacted?”heprobedBala.

Bala had been wiping the mace when he got sidelined. “Uh, what? Uh…yeah…”

Kalkishookhisheadindismay.“Iamnotsurprisedmyownpeopledon’ttrustmyjudgment.”HecoughedforLakshmitolookupfromherbookandanswer,butshe remained still, merely flipping through the pages. “Great, thanks for theencouragement.”

Shestilldidn’tsayanything.“Idon’tthinkshe’slistening.”Lakshmi snapped without even glancing up, “I am. I just choose not to

answer.”“Makesmefeelgood,everyone,thankyou.”Kalkisarcasticallyshookhishead

andswivelledtofacethedirectionoftheforest.Then he saw a person walking towards him. He wasn’t exactly tall, more

averageinheightandbuild.RoshanMitrawaswalkingalongside,sluggishlymovingforwardwithhim.Whileoftendismissedbymostpeopleasweak,Kalkihadseenhimloadingandunloadingsacksinhisfather’sfarmduringperiodsofharvest.Thechitofamanhadasurprisingamountofstrength.

“IsthiswhereI…whereIvolunteer?”“Uh,sure,yes.”Kalkistoodup.“Howcanyouhelpus?”“Icanhelpyouwithmakingweapons.”

“Doyouknowhowtomakeweapons?”Roshan shook his head. “Someone needs to teachme, butwell, I’m a quick

learner.”“That’suh…that’sgreat.”Kalkiturnedtohisfriends,whowerestrugglingnot

tolaugh.“Andyouwon’tfight?”“No,MothersaidIshouldn’tdosomethingtokillmyself.”“Oh,Isee.”Kalkismiled.“Well,thankyouforcoming,Roshan…”“HOLDON!”Avoiceshouted.Kalkiturned,andhecouldfeelthealltheheadsturningaswell.ItwasLylawith

her twobrothers, alongwithSagar,Mayaand tenmore friends.But theyweren’tjust ten; they were in hundreds ifKalki was correct. They were coming in largegroups, excitedly chattering about this opportunity to go against the panchayatidictumandfightagainsttheTribalaudacityofdemandingtoexcavatetheirtemple.

Lakshmihadclosedherbook.Bala straightenedhimself.Arjanwasn’tplayingwiththecoinanymore.

“Ihopethisisenough,Kalki,”Lylasaidwithasmirk.Shehadonyxblackhair,withcurledeyelashesandathinmouth.Herbrothersdidn’tlookanythinglikeher,buttheyweretallandstrongandKalkineededthat.

“This ismore thanenoughanduh thankyou forcoming.”Kalki loweredhisbrows as he acknowledged all of their presence. “But how did you manage toconvinceeveryone?”heaskedLyla.

“Me?Ididn’tmanagetodoanything.IwasbringingmybrothersalongwhenIsawthisgroup.Theywereallcomingthisway.”

“Sowhogroupedthem?”“Well…”Lylasignalledwithherthumbattheback,towardsafamiliarfacethat

appearedfromamidstthecrowd.Cladinplainwhiteclothes,DevadattalookedatKalkiwithageneroussmile.Hegaveanacknowledgingnod.

“Sarpanch ji?”Hegasped.Hehadneverbelievedthat theoldman,whomhehadcalledacowardindirectly,wouldstepupandbringsomanypeopleforKalki.“Ithoughtyoudidn’tbelieveinme.”

Devadatta sighed. “Idon’t knowwhat tobelieve in anymore.But Idoknowonething.I’llregretmyentire life ifI letthoseTribals invadeourtemple.Idon’thavealottoregretsoIhopetomakethemostofit.”

Kalki laughed, along with Arjan, who patted Kalki’s shoulder in respect.Lakshmiheldhishand,theirpalmsbrushingagainsteachotherandKalkifelt thesame current zapping inside him, as on the day of his father’s last rites, whenLakshmi and he had almost kissed.Kalki evenmanaged to see Sumati,whohad

come out due to the commotion, and was greeted by somany people. She wassilent,butwasgrinningwithdelightandawe.

Devadattapulledoutthescroll, lifted itup infrontofKalkiandtore itapart,flinging it in the air; definitively letting the congregation know that a choice hadbeenmade.AndnowKalkihadtosteerthemtowardsfortunateconsequences.

Arjanhadspokenthetruthwhenhehadsaidthatit’dbedifficulttohandlesomanypeople,asKalkididn’tknowanythingaboutwarfare.TheyhadsatinKalki’shouseasSumatibroughtforthemsomecurdandmilktofeastupon,whilethehundredorsovolunteershadreturnedafterannouncingtheirpartnership.

“Icanteachthemtoholdamace.”Balarushedthoughthecurdashesaidso,devouringmouthfulsofit.“Theywillbewarriors.”

“Amaceistooheavyforanaverageman,”Kalkisaid.“Notallofthemwillbetaughtonething.”

“Weneedtodividethemupskill-wise,”Lakshmisaid.“Seewhateachpersoncanofferandgivethemthedesiredroletoplayinthisbattle.”

“TheyareallShambalans,mostofthemwillchoosetheroadofnon-violence.”Kalkistoodup,angstyandexhausted.Morninghadarrivedandnonehadhadanysleep,fortimewasofabsolute importance.“WewereabletoattacktheMlecchasfor theyweresmall innumber incomparisonto thevolunteerswehadthat time.Evenahundredofuswon’tbeenough for aTribal army.Worse,wedon’t evenknowhowtheTribalarmyoperates.Ourfolksneedthoroughtrainingandweneedtomakeshortworkofit.”

Arjan nodded, his fingers dancing on his lips as the sheathed sickle dangled

fromhiswaist.Hehadsaidhereceivedtheweaponfromtheirmother,whichhadonlymadeKalkijealousaboutnotreceivinganythingfromher.Heshouldn’thavefeltthatway,butenvywasachildishemotion.Moresobecausewithouttheaidofsoma-induced strengths,Arjanwas in greaterneedof theweapons thanKalki. Itwasallgettingoverhishead,thefactthatsomanypeoplehadpositedtheirfaithinhim,hadbelievedinwhathewouldbeabletoachieveforthem.Itwashardforaboyofhisage.Hewasn’tanolderperson,readytotaketheresponsibilitiesofhislife,letalonethelivesoftheentirevillage.Inthefieldofboundlesscourage,hehadmusteredupwords that had instilledhope in the average villager’s eyes, but thatdidn’tmeanhe’dnecessarilywin.

Wouldhe?How?The thoughtofpessimismhadcrossedhismindand thatwas theoneof the

major reasonswhyhewouldn’t sleepuntil heproved everyone right andbecametheheroShambaladeservedrightnow.Rightafterfinishinghiscupofmilkthough.

“Weneedaguru,”Arjansaid.“AnAcharya.IcancontactGuruVashishtaforhis help, but he’ll probably reject us, for he has opened his doors to a lot ofwanderersoutthere.Andevenifheaccepts,comingfromtheretoherewouldbejust as problematic and time-consuming. And time is exactly what we lack rightnow.”

Guru?Lakshmihadherbrowspulleddown,thewaysheusuallydidwhenevershewas

deep in thoughts. “I agree.The ravenwill drop themessage toKali’s office andaccording to my estimates, as they prepare an army and all, it’ll take him amaximumoftendaystogatherandtravelhere.”

“Whysomuch,littlegirl?”Balahuskilyasked.Lakshmiglancedathim,wide-eyed.Kalkiknewwhy.Shewasn’treallyfondof

beingcalleda ‘littlegirl’ since shewasquiteold.Lakshmiwas theonepersonheknew who hated being a child, unlike Kalki who missed how everything wasinnocentbackthen.“Um,yeah,becausewell…KalkiandItravelledinadayandahalfaswewere less innumber,butforanarmy,whichwillnecessarilyneedrestsand stops, it would require more time. Three days of journey would be theminimumamountoftimerequired.”

Arjanaddedaninquiry.“Howwillweknowwhentheyappear?”“Parrotscanflyhighandseeincomingintruders!”Balaexclaimed.“Parrotsare

intelligentifusedrightly.”EveryoneexceptKalkiwatchedShuko,whohadcurdsmearedoverhisbeak.It

flappeditswingsandnoisilysquawked.

Kalki’sbodystiffened.“Iknowsomeonewhocanhelpus.Buthe’snotreallythemosttrustworthymanaround.Infact,youtwomightknowhim.”HesignalledovertoBalaandArjan.

“The only person, we know,” Arjan began, narrowing his eyes and thenbroadeningtheminhorror,“ohno,pleasedon’tsayit’shim.”

“Unfortunately,yeah,”Kalkinervouslylaughed.Arjan struck his hand against his forehead, while Bala was still musing

thoughtfullyaboutit.

He looked likeasadhu.Sadhuswereusually thewanderingpriests,havingnoprescribedreligionthattheybelievedin.Theydidn’thaveatemplelikethepriestsnor were they looking formaterialism. They had eschewedworldly affairs. Theywouldremaindirtyandforgotten,persistingwiththeirnomadicexistence.Stronglyresemblingasadhu,Kripawasleaningagainsttherock.Therewasapeacefulsmiledancingonhislipsandhishandswerewrappedaroundhistorso.

Kalki andhis friendswalkedonto the scene just then.Theyweremetby theimage of a haggard drunkard, his head lolling against the ground, who wassurroundedby innumerable empty cups of sura.Kalki knewhis friendswouldn’ttrusthisjudgmentinthismatter,butKripawastheonlyhopehehadsincehewasmuch more than an ordinary Acharya. He was a Chiranjeev, who had played apivotalroleintheMahayudhandmusthaveinnateknowledgeaboutweaponry.Allofthiswasn’tknowntohisfriendsandhewishedtheGodsdidn’tknowiteither.

“Mustsay,Kalki,youreallybelieveanyonewhosayshe’saGuru,right?”Arjansaid.“I’msureKripacouldbeagoodenoughguideinknowingwhat’soutthereinthewoods,butI’mnotsureifhecanhelpusfightanarmyofTribals.”

Lakshmi grunted. “Yeah, just look at him. Look at this egregious man whojust…”

“Bah!Icantrainourpeoplebetter,Kalki.Givemeachance!”BalabustedforthwithsuchenergythatheshookevenKripa,whonoisilyawokefromhisslumber.

“AmIhavinganightmare?”Kripalookedaround,hiseyespale,withdarkbagsunderthem,hismouthgrimandfoul,andhishairalltwistedandgreasy.“WhydoIseesomanyimbecilesinoneplace?”

Kalkishookhishead.Heshouldn’tsayanythingdeplorableandletthesituationworsen.

“Are you an Acharya, old man?” Bala grabbed Kripa and pulled him up,

shakinghimfuriously.“Areyou?Canyouteachus,oldman?”KalkicameforwardandforcedBalatoreleasetheChiranjeev,ashetrippedand

struggledonthefloor,reeling.“Yeah, I’ll just tell what I know. He was once a Guru, but… uh…he got

addictedtosurasuntilheforgotwhatwasrightandwhatwaswrong.Nowhe’sjustawanderer,ahermit.”

“Adrunkenoneatthat,”Lakshmigrimaced.Kripa looked, sheepishly at Kalki and then at everyone. “What are you all

prattling about, mates? Why in God’s name are you disturbing my morningslumber?HaveInothadenoughofyou?”

“Weneedyourhelp.”Kalkicameforward,eyeinghimhard.“Youtoldme inthe meeting we could make weapons out of the forest. We need your help intrainingandcraftingarmouryforthebattlethatisabouttobeginintendays.”

“Isheforreal?”Kripasqueaked,askingKalki’sfriend.“Intendays,you’llonlygethalfawarriorandnotagoodhalf,ifIamhonestwithyou.”

“Idon’tcare.That’llbeallrightforme.”Kripawatchedhiminconfusion.“Youreallyareseriousaboutit,mate?That’s

good, aye.We should all bemerry about heroes and hope itwillmake uswin abattle.ButthenwhyshouldIdowhatyouwantmetodo?”

“Becauseit’stherightthingtodo,”Lakshmirespondedgrimly.“Rightthing?Yes,wellhowshouldIrespondtothisinagenteelfashion?Lass,

the right thing is for thosewho havemorality. And unfortunately, I lostmine awhileback.”

“Yousupportedmeinthemeeting.Ithoughtyousupportedthatdecision.”“Idon’tevenknowwhatIdreamtaboutrightnowletalonewhatIsaidinthat

meeting.Isayalotofthings,butImeanlittle.DoesthatmakeanysenseorshouldItrysomedifferentwordsforyou?”

Kalki came forward, avoidinghis friends.Hegrabbedholdof the stupid,oldman and lifted him slightly. “We are in need of an Acharya. If you do this, Ipromise I will come with you to meet your mysterious accomplice to whatevermountainsyouwantedmetogoto.”Kalkistaredathimsteadfastly.

“Mahendragiri,”hisvoicechortled.“What?”“Thewhatevermountainsyouhadmentioned,youknow.”Kalkilefthim,sighinginrelief.“Yes,whatever.”“Fine,”Kripabrushedoffhistunic.“I’llhelpyou.”Kalki’s friendsweren’trelieved,but theywereglad.Helpwason itswayeven

thoughthehelpwasdeadlydrunkallthetime.“First,weneedtogotothewoods,andgathersupplies,asmanyashecan.We

needmilktoo.”“Milk?Forwar?”Arjanasked.“Energy,mate.Strength.Milkishealthastheysay,youknow.”Lakshmiinterrupted,“Noonesaysthat.”“Someonedefinitelysaidit.”“Noone,notoneperson.”“I’mprettysuresomeonehadsaidthat,lass,”hechuckled.“I’mprettysure,all

right.”Kalkisnappedinbetween.“Whoeverhassaidwhatevershouldnotmatterright

now.Wewilldoasyousay;youmustmeetourvolunteersandselecteachofthemforaspecifickindofduty.”

“Allright,asyoucommand.”Kripamock-salutedhim.Kalki began to walk with him, while his friends followed them, whenKripa

whisperedagentlestatement:“Youandyourbrotherhavevastlydifferentwaysofpersuasion,mate.Ineedtobecarefularoundwithyouboth.That’snice.Evenyourfriendsseemgleefularoundyou,butyousee,tobecomeanAvatar,youmighthavetomake sacrifices, so enjoy thiswhile it lasts.”Andhewalkedoff,Kalki trailingbehindhim,withadazedexpressiononhisface.

Placidly lyingdownonhisbed,Kali hadnever felt souseless inhis life.Hehadpromisedhimself hewould restwhendeathwouldbenear.Not before that; forrestingmeant sparing time for innocuouspleasures.Kaliwas suffocating andnotbecauseofallthedirtthathadaccumulatedhislungs,butbecausehewasstuckinaroom,justashissisterwasworriedabouthiswell-being.Wherewassheanyway,heaskedhimself,asheworriedaboutnothavingseenherforanentireday.

Though,thatcouldbeablessingindisguise.Kaliliftedhimselfup,brushinghislegsagainstthefloor,stretchinghisback.He

knewhewoulddie ifheremained in thebedfor long.Hewalked to thedoor tofind his two generals standing, on opposite sides, wearing their plated suit ofarmour.TheyinstantlystiffenedatthesightofKali.

“Atease,”Kalisaid,sighing,evenspeakingfeelinglikeahugetaxonhisthroat.Kokotimidlysaid,“Mylord,youshouldberesting.”“IknowIshouldbe,butIchoosenotto.”“LadyDuruktihascommandedus…”KalishotVikokoalookofpurepoison.Shedidn’tmeethermaster’seyes.Kali

realizedhowsmallhewasincomparisontothetwins.Theywerebothmorethansixfeettall,broadandagile,whilehewasdecidedlydiffidentnexttothem.

“Iwanttotraveloutside.Iwanttoseehowthecityisworking.”“Allright,mylord.”Kaliwasguidedbythetwins,outsidethefort,ashesawthesimmeringraysof

the sun, washing over him after the longest time. The twins opened the chariotdoor forhim,whichwasattached to twowhite stallions.At the sightofhis ride,Kalishookhishead.

“Iwantahorse,andapersonalone.”The guards around the fort stood shocked. The twins walked forward,

incredulously.Kokobegan,“Mylord,thisisbetterforyourback.”“Idon’twant tobeprotectedanymore.”Kalipattedhisgeneralwithawarm

smile,hopingtomakehimunderstandhisplight.“IwanttobreatheinthefreshairasIridethroughthestreetsofthecity.”

The twins didn’t quarrel much. They brought him a horse, while he waited,watchingall theguards. Itwasonlyhis fortwhere theManavs,Rakshas,Yakshasand Naga soldiers were together, for he allowed every capable warrior to beappointed.He didn’t let prejudices dictate the professions theywere engaged in.There was a small garden in between, with a statue of Kali and Durukti in thecentre,flankedbytreesonbothsides.Theofficialsofhisgovernmentwerewalkingcasually, going about theirduties.When they sawKali, theyboweddown tohimandhewavedwithagrin.

Thehorseappearedinfrontofhim.Kalisatonit,feelingpowerfullikebefore.He was clad in black, wearing his metal armour over it. He had a small cloth,wrapped around his neck, red in colour. He pulled it up to his mouth, partiallyhiding his face. It was for security purposes aswell as to protect his lungs. Thehorsegallopedforward, leavingthe irongatesbehindandmakingwaytothecity.Thetwinswereinthefront,andtwoguardswereleadingtherear.

Movingafteraprolongedperiodof inactivity,hewasassaultedbythevarioussightsandsmells.Thebazaarswereoperatinginfullforce,whilethemerchantsandthe customers noisily haggled. Everywhere, people parted and quietened indeferencetoLordKali.Theywereallwhisperingandquivering,someinfear,whileothershada lookofdelight.Thebazaarwashisbrainchild,conceivedasanopenwholesale market, where traders and vendors from the entire northern provincecould congregatewith theirwares.Theywouldbe taxed at fortypercentofwhatthey’dearn,butitwasworthit.Hecouldseebooks,foodandutensilsbeingsoldindifferent lanes. The shops were constructed in narrow spaces, covered withbrightly-colouredcanopiesoverhead.

Kali came off his horse with his guards in tow. Kali signaled them not to

follow,exceptforKokoandVikoko,whowentwhereverhewent.Heenteredthebazaarandmadehisway.Someweresobusynegotiatingprices,theydidn’tnoticethenewCommanderof the citywalkingpast them,butKali showednohaste inportrayinghimselfassomeonelikethat.Hechosetoshowhewasanordinaryman.Hisarmsweresprawledwide,ashiseyesfelluponanoldladysittingbehindatable.Shehadalotofcardsonthetable,withmultiplegemstonesovereachpairofcards.

Kaliwas interested.He had always believed in destiny and the fates.Hewasinnately superstitious. Fortune-telling, Kali had learnt, was the extension ofastrology.Kaliwent thereandsatopposite thewoman.Shehadblueeyes,henceshewasprobablyaNaga.Buthereyesweren’texactlythecolourofsapphire,butcloudyandpale…until ithitKali.Shewasblind,ofcourse.“KaliyanSeth,”Kalisaid. The last name, though unknown tomany, was his surname. In fact, it hadbeensolongsincehehadutteredit,hehadforgottenithimself.

“Designation?”Thewomanbeganshufflinghercardsnow.“Middle-classcaste,”Kalisaid.“Hmph.”Shelaidthecardsinfrontofhim.“Pickone.”“But I didn’t ask you a question.” He knew about cards a little. They were

alreadyaroundwhenhewassmallaswell.Thereweresomewhoreadfaces,whileothers who would look at hands and some even just touched the person,interpretedtheenergyandunderstood.Theywereallbogusinhiseyes,untiloncehemetafortuneteller,beforehisexpeditionofunitingtheManavsandtheTribals.The teller had said it would happen easily, but with a price. Perhaps hisdeterioratinghealthwasthatprice,orperhapsitwassomethingelse.

“Pick a card,” thewomancoldly continued. Shehadnowrinkles and yet shelookedold.Thatwasodd, forhereyeshadwisdomandhervoice soundedquiteyoung.ShehadduskierskinthananyNagaandhadhandsthatweretoosmallforherbody.

Kali did so. The woman touched the card softly, as if feeling it, and thensmasheditonthewhitesheetonwhichallofherstuffwasplaced.

“Youarelying,”shesaid.“Aboutyournameandyourdesignation.”Kalismiled.Hecouldn’tbelievethewomanhadcaughtontohislies.Wasthere

aslightuncertaintyinhisliesorwasitreallymagic?“Allright.Ichoosenottoshareeither.”“Thatwon’tbeanissue.Touchthecardforthat.”Kalididso.“Yourenergieshavebeenpassedintoit.”Sheshuffledthedeckand

thenspreaditagain.“Howmanycardsdoyouwantmetopickup?”Kalididn’thaveanyparticularnumberinmind.“Three,”heentreatedhis lips

tospeakforthemselves.“AmInotaskinganyquestions?”“For thosewhoaskquestions, they lookforacertainanswer ineveryanswer

andthatishowafraudulenttantricisabletoworkaroundthatansweruntilshehitstheheart.It’scalledreadinganindividual;theearnestness,theresoluteness,andthebodylanguagehelpsindeterminingthatanswer.Assuch,otherastrologersmakealotofmoneydoingthis.”Shepaused,explainingthestructureofastrologicalshams,impressingKali intheprocess.“Ihadthepowersof interpretingthefuture.”Shewasn’teventryingtobemodest.“ToproveIamnotlikeothers,IburntmyeyesforIcouldn’tseeanindividualthen.Icouldonlyfeeltheirenergies.”

Kalipursedhislips.Hewasexcited,ashenowbegantopullthreecardsoutofthe scattered bunch.He could feel his stomach lurch and his fingertips growingcoldwithnervousenthusiasm.Sheliftedthethreecards,brushingherpalmsacrossthem, to feel the energy of the cards. Kali had never felt so nervous aboutsomething.Heshouldn’tbelieveinallofit, likeDurukti,butallofthismagicandwonderhadreallyinterestedhim.

“Hmmm,”shesaid,“Iseepartnership,andastrongone.”Kalinodded.“Yes,Ialreadyhave…”“No,notnow.Idon’tspeakofnow.Ispeakofthen.Iseepartnershipbetween

youandanunlikely individualoragroupyouthoughtwouldneverberightforapartnership. It’ll change the courseof timeandhelp youbuild abigger empire ifyouusethemcorrectly.”ThewomankeptspeakingandKalipeeredoverthecard.It was of two individuals holding each other’s hands as a pact. “And amongsttrustedpeople.”

“WhatifIdon’t?”“It’llbeoneofthereasonsforyourdownfall.”Kali felt strained. Downfall? He had fought his way till here. He couldn’t

believehewoulddiebecauseofsomepartnershiphefailedtoliveupto.Shepulledoutasecondcard,turningitovertorevealamancomingonawhitehorse,withablazingswordandlonghair.Shedidthesamemovementswithherhands.

“You will have an adversary with equal brains and strength as you. He willcombatyouandhewilltrytodestroyyou.”

“That’sallright.”Kalishrugged.Hewasinsuchaninfluentialpositionthathislifewouldobviouslybeatrisk.

“He’llbeyourgreatestfoe,buthewon’tbethecauseofyourdownfall.”Andthewordspiercedhischest,eventhoughitwasalreadyburningupinside.“He?”“Yes,amale.”Shepaused,sniffing.“Ah,butthereisaproblem.He’snotready

yet.He’sexploring.”Kalishookhishead.Sheturnedthethirdcardover.“Youwillfacebetrayalfromtheonesyoutrust,”shesaidwithacrookedsmile.Kalicouldn’ttakethisanymore.Hecameontohisfeet,thechairrockingfrom

thesuddenmovement.“Thisisstupid.Istherenogoodwrittenforme?”“Iseegreatpowercomingyourway,LordKali,”hervoicehad turned intoa

snarl,asshegiggled.Howdidsheknowmyname?“Useitwiselyotherwiseit’llcorruptyou,”shesaidcraftily.And just then he felt a sharp lunge from the back, and the plunging dagger

twisteddeepwithinhim.Hishandsweptat theback,holding theserrateddaggerthathadbeenstabbedintohim.Hepulledoutthedagger,turningaroundtoseeaman, dressed in a cloak.Kali called out to the twins,whowere busywatching aperformer.Whentheyheardhim,theyrushedover.Theassassindecidedtorunintheensuingconfusion.

Kalicollapsed,buthetriedhisbesttoholdontotheassassin’sleg.Hetripped.Kalipulledawaythecloak.Bythetimethetwinscame,theywerequickenoughtoplunge their blades inside his neck, ripping his throat and spraying blood on theunsuspectingbystanders.Theentirebustlingbazaarhadcometoastandstill.KokoandVikokomadewayforKalinow,astheyliftedhimup.Asharp,cracklingpainwas careening down his spine, as he slowly swiveled his head and saw the oldwomanhaddisappeared.

“Weshouldleave,mylord.”“Sho…showmethebody.”Kaliwaspulledforwardbyhisgenerals,andbythistime,theguardswhowaited

outsidethebazaarhadcomeinandpushedthecrowdfromcomingtooclose.Kalikneltdown,hishandgoingfortheman’shoodthatconcealedhischest.Hetoreitopen,withtheleftoverstrengthhehadinhim.

Andthereitwas—thebreastplateoftheblue-eyedassassin,withasnakeonit.

Therealitywasworsethanthemethod.Arjan hadn’t realized itwould be so difficultworkingwithKripa.He looked

likeanincapablelout.ButArjanwassowrong,forthefirstthinghesaidwhenhesawthevolunteers,was:

“Weneedabiggerplace.”Balawas the first to recommendMadira’sChalice.Manyhadobjected for its

sinfulconnotations.“Wewon’tpracticeforthissacredmissionunderaroofownedbyanunreligiousman,”Devadattaspokeoutagitatedly.

Arindam,theownerofMadira’sChalice,wasstandingawayfromthegroup.Hewas a volunteer as well, for his own reasons. Arjan had learnt hewas part of itbecausehewanted to savehis tavern frombeingdestructed.Heknew that if theCommander’sarmywouldraceinsidethevillage,thingswouldgodownhillastheywouldmassivelytaxasuccessfulcommercialspotlikethetavern.Butperhaps,therewasanulteriormotive,somethingArindamhidabouthimself.Or itcouldbe thefactthathe justcaredaboutShambala liketheothers.Itwashardtobelievehowpeoplechangedandevolvedwhendangerlurkedaround.

“TheMadira’sChalice is theonlyplacewhich isbigenough tohost somanypeople,”Kalkisaid,insupport.“Idon’tgototheplace,butit’sgoodforwhatwe

aredoing.”“Add to that, wine and suras for us,” cheered Kripa, who was instantly

chastenedbyKalki’sfrostyglare.Itwasdecidedthen.TheMadira’sChalicewouldbetheirpracticeground.Butthatwasn’ttheproblemforArjan,asthatwasoneofthe problems solved quickly. What happened after that was the toughest. Arjannever believed himself to be a physically agile person. Regardless of themisadventureswiththeMlecchasandtheharshscarhehadgotoutofthat,itwashisonlydaringmission.Hewanted toprotecthimself andhispeople.Tohim, itmadenosensethattheywerepotentiallylayingdowntheirlivesmerelytoprotectsomeGodlycave.Indravancouldgotothedogs,forallhecared!Infact,Kalkiwasthe same like Arjan, about saving humans rather than idols, but somehowsomethinghadchangedinhim.

Arjancouldn’tforgetwhathehadseen.Thoseweren’tmerehumancapabilities.Noonecouldsurvivesuchanattack.Evenasliceagainsthisfacehurttillheusedherbal creams over it, to rein in the pain. It had died down into thismark thatwasn’tgoinganywherefornow.Andithurt,forpeoplelookedathimdifferently.Hewasn’tthesamecherubboyanymore.

AndyetKalki’schesthadwounds,buttheywerehealing,fasterthananaverageperson’s.Arjanhadn’treadaboutthiskindofregenerativephysiologyandhehadaskedLakshmi,aboutquickhealing,hopingthatperhapsshehadreadsomethinginthecity.

“Whywouldyouask?”shehadasked.Arjandidn’trespond.“Yes, therehavebeen cases like that, butmostly superstitious,”Lakshmihad

said.Theanswerwasn’tsatisfactory.HewouldhaveaskedKalki,inperson,forthatwasthekindofrelationshipthey

hadwitheachother.Buthewasafraid,perhapsofknowingthetruthorperhapsoflearningsomethingmuchbeyondhisownunderstanding.Arjan’smindhaddriftedfrom all of this. Kripa had shut himself from the liquor, and had gone to thewoods,bringingpeoplewithhim.Arjanwasthereaswell,butKalkiwasn’t.Whentheyhadcometotheforest,Kripahadsaidtheyneededtomakeaweaponoutofthese.

Arjan learnt the important tactics of weapon craftsmanship through naturalmeans.Themetaland ironweapons thatweregivenbyLakshmi’sauntwouldbeusedbythefitwarriors,whoknewhowtopickupandusetheheavyobjects.Thenaturalweaponswouldbemorelightweight.Arjanchosesomethinghecouldshootfrom far, as he didn’t want to get into the middle of the battle, but still be

productive.Arjancouldhavechosentofight inaduelwithKeshavNand,buthedidn’t.Hechosetacticsoverbrutestrengtheverytime.

Hechoseabow,andwiththeuseofakitchenknife,hecutopenthebamboo,pulling the two ends back to form a curved back. For the arrow, he carved andsharpenedlongtwigs,makingtheendsrazorsharp.

Lylahadmadeherselfanicelongspearwithabladeoneachother,wrappedbythethinslicesofbarkfromatree.ArindamandAgastyahadmadethemselvesslingclubs,witharopeoneachendattachedbyahugerock.Theytriedspinningit,butthey endeduphurting themselves.RoshanMitrawas good at craftsmanship, andthroughtheuseofhisknife,hecraftedeachlogforpeopletouseastheirweapon.

Kripahadsaid thatnoteveryoneshouldhaveaweapon,buteveryoneshouldhave a plan in order to go into battle. “Weapons are incentives, only to be usedwhenabsolutenecessity.Wehavetowinthiswarwithouttheweapons.”

SagarandMaya,brotherandsister,gotthemselvesdoubled-sidedswords.Kripadidn’thaveaweapon,perse,buthewasburningutensils,andwiththemixtureoftreesap,zincandcharcoal,hewascreatingsmallcircularballs.Arjanhadwalkedtohimwithhisbowandaquivermadeofjutethatheldalotofarrowsinit.Hehadworkedhard;hisskinfeltburnt,hiseyesweakandhisenergydrained.

“Whatisthis?”Arjanasked.Kripahadbeenkneelingdown.Helookedup.“These,mate,aretheexplosives.

Onefierytouchandtheyblowupatleasttenoftheirmenoratleast,startlethem.”“Whenarewegoingtotrain?”“Intwodays,letthemfirstmaketheirweapons.IneedtotalktoKalkiaswell,

toseewherewecantrapthearmyasweknowwhatsidetheywillbecomingfrom.Weneedtofindawaythat’llchokethem,andtheywouldhavenootherwaybuttoreturnback.”

The entrance to Shambala had been one way, but it was divided into manyunevenpathsacrossthedenseforest.

“WhereisKalki?”“I’vetoldhimtodohisownpractice.Heneedshisalonetime.”“I see.” Suspiciously,Arjanmoved from the so-called guru and as he turned

back,KripawaswatchinghimthesamewayArjanhadregardedKripa:withdoubt.

Itwasnightfallandhestoodattheentranceofthevillage.Itwasguardedbyabambooentrance,buttherewasnogate.Hewasstandingnexttohisbigbrother

andhismother,whowascarefullypositionedonthehorse.“Don’tfallwhileyouleave,”Kalkisaidwithasmile,ashehandedherapotand

wrappedupherclothes intoabundle.Sumaticarefullydrapedhercloth.“Idon’twanttoleavethisvillageatthistime,beta.Please,don’tforceme.”

Arjanknewshehadtogo.Kalkiknewthataswell.Theyhadbothlostaparentandtheyweren’treadytoloseanother iftheyfacedturmoilorthingswentdown.Even if they ended up dying due to the war, and the very thoughtmade Arjanshiver,theywantedtodiewiththethoughtthattheywereabletosecurethesafetyoftheirmother.

“Whenwillyoubothcomeseeme?”Sumatiasked.“Whenallofthisisover.”“Howlong?Tellmethenumberofdays.”Kalki andArjan shared a look. “Wewill let you know soon, and send you a

pigeon.”Sumatiwatchedthemindismayandyetembracedthemtightly.“Takecare,and

fighthard.Makemeproud.”Kalki had teared up, but Arjan remained frozen. “The journey to Badrinath

Ashramwillbealmostfourdays.Takecare.”“Don’tworry.Justremember,adoubtfulmindmeansyouareontherightpath.

MaytheVajraofIndrabewithyou,children.”Sumatismiled,asshegrabbedthereinsandmoved.

KalkiandArjanstoodtogetherasthehorsebegantogallopforward.Andsoon,ithadbeencoveredintheshadows.Fearhadengulfedtheirhearts.

“Willwewin?”Kalkiasked.Arjanwassurprised.Hehadforcedeveryonetostanduponthatdayandclaim

theirland.Arjandidn’twantitandnowherehewas,afraidofbeingahero.“Wedon’thaveachoice.”Arjanresponded,slowlycomfortinghisbrother,by

wrappinghisarmsaroundhisbulkyback.

Duruktiwasstandingnexttothefloral-trellisedwindow,watchingthesunset.Shecould barely remember the time when Kali was just a boy, light-skinned andgolden-eyed.Alwayshersavior,hewouldgohungryondayswhenhefeltshewaslyingaboutfeelingfull,justsothathecouldpeacefullyeathisbread.

“Yes,Ihaveeaten.”ButDuruktiknewheliedforhisribswereprotruding,hisskinwasdullandhis

facelookedabsolutelyexhausted.Hehadbeentravellingfromoneplacetoanother,hopingtofindjobs.Hewouldgettobeaminerorahelperata localtavern,butthings wouldn’t be smooth for him and they would kick him out, without evenpaying himhis dues.Thingswere going against him andDurukti; theworldwascruelandinnocencehadbeenlost.

Andthatwaswhenhehadbegunthelifeofcrime.Her thoughtsweredisruptedbefore shecould rememberhoweverythinghad

turned in Kali’s favour. The door opened, with Symrin walking inside, lookingapprehensive.Shehadaletterrolledupasascroll.

Duruktididn’thavetoread.Herfacetoldeverything.“Theydidn’trespondtoourplea,”Duruktisaid.“In their defense, my lady, it wasn’t exactly a plea, but more of an order,”

Symrinresponded.For such an insensitive and obtuse statement, Durukti would have banished

her,butSymrinwasright. Itwasn’taplea. Itwasahorriblyconceived, ill-writtenletter to the chief of Shambala, one of the most prosperous villages in theKeekatpurprovince.Shehadwantedtosound likesheownedShambala, shehadwantedtoenforceherwill,butthelastthingshewantedwastowageanill-advisedbattleagainstagroupofragtagbumpkins,fortheiraudacitytorepudiateagainstaroyalorder.

“Iwanted this tobea smooth run forus. Ididn’twantbloodshed.Theveryfactthattheyhaverejectedthismeanstheyarelookingforawar.”DurukticametoSymrin’sside.“WhatdoweknowaboutShambala?”

“Doesnotincludeawarriorcommunityandhasnoarmoury.Infact,I’mquitesurprisedtheyhaverejectedit.Theyarequitecowardlywhenitcomestothesightofbloodandbladesorasthestoriessay.Wecangothereandfrightenthem.”

“Weneedabigarmyforthat.”Duruktipursedherlips.Bigarmymeantabigdistraction,which alsomeantKaliwould knowand stop it immediately.The lastthinghewantedwasacivilwarandalotofcasualtiesjustforthesakeofhishealth.Whathedidn’t realisewas thatDuruktiwouldbemore thanready todestroy theworldifitmeantsavingherbrother.“I’llspeaktoLord…”

AshadowfelloverthefloorandDuruktiturnedtoseeVikoko,sweattricklingdownherhead.Shehadbloodacrossherbreastplate.

“Mylady!”No.Vikokoadded.“Ihavesomebadnews.”

Duruktirushedtotheinfirmarythatwasinsidethefortitself.Duruktimadeherwayinside,whileSymrinrushedafterher.Kokostoodoutside,frailandfrightened.

“Yourdutywastoprotectmybrother.Whathaveyoudone?Ifhedies,Iwillexile you.” Durukti spat out the words, anger creating a blinding maelstrom ofemotions,hurtandfearwithinher.

“Iapologizeforourtransgression,mylady…”Duruktisweptherpalmup.“Wordswouldn’tcuremybrother’swound.”Rightinthecentreofacircleofcandles,overamat,washerbrother,Kali,laid

flatwithhisbackontopandhischestagainstthefloor.Thewoundwasvisible,adeepgashthatbaredhisverybones.

“Howishe?”“Fortunate,” the shaman said, circling aroundKali and then kneelingnext to

himashebegantouseacolourlessgelonhiswound,“thatthecutwasclosetohisspine,butnotinhisspine.”

She could feel her choking sense of fear alleviate. Shewasn’t frightened, butwasstillworried.

“Howlongwillhestaylikethis?”“Give me few days, my lady,” the shaman paused and looked up. “Let his

woundshealnaturallyratherthanexpeditingthehealingprocessartificially.”“Iwant to ask you something.”Duruktiwalked around the circle of candles

that acted as a barrier between her and her naked brother. “Have you heard ofSoma?”

“Yes,” the old man nodded. “Extinct medicinal nectar, extrapolated fromsomalata,usedtobefoundinthecoldhillsupnorth.”

“Whyisitextinct?”“Theworldmovesonand leavesbehindmanyof itswonders.”Theoldman

couldonlymusterupthesewordsinashowofhelplessness.“Ihearditwasinsidethestone.”“Likeeverymedicine,ithasdifferentforms,someinstonesandsomeinplants.

Eitherway,youneedtosuckthenectaroutofit.”Duruktistoppedcircling,hersandalirritatinghersole.“Howdifficultisitextractingoutofthestone?”Theshamanstopped.“Well,youneedtofirstbreakit,dissolveitinside…”“Howdifficult?”sherasped.Theshaman’seyeswidenedinfear,ashis lipsquivered.“Notmuch, ifIhave

therighttools,butitisimpossibletogetSomasanymore,sincetheyareextinct.”“Howmanydays?”Hervoicehadcalmeddown.“Howmanydayswill ittake

tomakethesolution?”“Perhapsthreeorless.”Theshamannoddedmeekly.“Iwantyoutoknow,”Duruktistoodovertheshaman,hershadowcrossinghis

faceashewatchedherindiscomfort,shiftinguneasynexttoKali’sbody.Thelightdancedonherface,thesmellofincenseengulfedhernostrils.“Thatyouwouldbefree fromyourdutieswhen youperform thisprocess and you shall not speak toanyoneofthis.Ifyoudo,bymistakeorintentionally,Ishallcutyourheadoffwithmyownbarehands.”Herteethclenchedasshethreatenedtheman.Perhaps,itwastheanticipationoftheverythoughtofwhatshewoulddo,thatmadeherfeelthatway.

Theshamannodded.“KeepmeupdatedabouthisLordship’shealth.”Durukti left theroomandheavedasighofreliefagainst thedoor.Kokoand

Vikokowerewatching her, sweaty and unstable at themoment. She realized shecouldn’tshowherweakdemeanorinfrontofthem,andstrugglingtoherfeet,shestoodup,chinhighandherhandsclaspedtogether.

“Redemptioncomestothosewhoworkforit,”Duruktibegan,glancingatthetwins. Symrin shied away fromuttering a singleword at themoment, concealingherself in theshadowsof thecorridor,asDurukticontinued,“Iwantyou twotonot justguardmybrother’s lifeas if it’syour life, just likeyouhadgivenabloodoathwhenhehadsavedyourlife,butyouwillalsomakesuretodoonethingforhim.”

Thetwinswaited.“Lie tohim,”Durukti said. “Lie thathis sister is inside, inher chambers and

wishestoseenoonesinceshe’sunhappyandfilledwithgriefthatshe’sunabletosaveherbrotherfromthecircumstances.LieformeandIshallforgiveyou.”

The twins blinked. They served Kali but they felt guilty for disappointingDurukti,andtheywoulddoeverythingtoreturnbackinherfavours.

“BecauseIwon’tbehereforafewdays,andIwillbetakingRaktapa’sbandofarmythathehasleftstationedhere.”

Thetwinsnoddedinunison.“DoyouwantustoinvestigateLordVasuki,sinceitwasaNagawhohadkilled

our Lord?” Koko asked, since Vikoko was drenched in sweat and mute fear.Duruktishookherhead.“ThatisapoliticalmatterwhichonlyKalicanworkout.Forus,weneedtomakesurehe’sinabsolutegoodhealth.”

And she began to walk away from the twins, Symrin trying to closely walkbehindher.“Mylady,whathappenedinside?”

“Realisations.”Duruktihadastraightface,eyestrainedatthedarkcorridor.“What are we going to do now? You are taking Lord Raktapa’s army; is it

perhapsthecasethatyouarethinkingofgoingtoShambalaafterall?”“I always had,”Durukti saidmatter-of-factly. But she knewwhy Symrin had

askedherthat.Duruktihadbeenfailingtotakeadecision;shelookedafraid,upsetand doubtful for the simple reason that she would go to Shambala and createdisruptions, disruptions that Kali usually smoothed through his political acumenand bargaining diplomacy. “Markmy words, Symrin; nothing can stopme fromenteringthosecavesanymore.”

Ithadbeenthreedaysofexhaustivepracticing.KripahadtaughthimthewaysofChannellingandlearningfromthepredecessors,theoneswhohadingestedSoma.Kripa had toldKalki that the souls of theAvatarswere connected, even thoughthey were no longer manifest physically on the planet. By concentrating andchannelling his faculties, hewould be able to tap into the resources of commonexperiencesthathadbeenpasseddownthroughtheages.

Kalkisatinpenanceanditwasworse.He’dgetboredandhe’dopenhiseyes,liedownandwatchtheskies.Andsometimes,whenthingswouldn’t turnoutthewayitwassupposedto,he’dfeelitwasawasteoftime.Butthisisnothowitwassupposedtobe.Heshouldhavebeenpracticing liketheothers, learningdifferentcombattechniquesratherthansittingcross-leggedwithclosedeyes.

Andhesatagaintoday,waiting.Ithadbeenanhourwhenthingsaroundhimbegantofeelliketheyweredissolving.Hiseyeswereclosed,buthefelthewasnolongeronland.Heopenedhiseyesandthereitwas.Darkness.Allovertheplace.Ithadengulfedhim,andtossedhimfromhisfamiliarterrainintothisdarkoblivion.Hisheartracedashewantedtoescapethisplace,whensuddenly,hewasinstantlyplungedforward.

Thingswereblurry.Therewasahut.Therewasahugeflyingbirdontopand

thatwaswhenKalki realized itwasn’t abird,butamachine fromwaybehind itstime.Amustachedmanexitedfromthemechanicalbird.

He was again plunged somewhere else, in the forest, perhaps the same onewherehesawamanwithmattedhair,shootinganarrow.

“Well done, Raghav.” Amanwalked alongside theman named Raghav, andpattedhimontheshoulder.

Kalkicollapsedtofindhimself inawastelandnow.Apeacock-featheredman,rushingandsprintingagainst thefield,withavolleyofarrowsbearingdownoverhim, as he dodged. In retaliation, he pulled out a chakra, and threw it across. ItwentstraighttowardsKalkiandheclosedhiseyesinfear.Whenheopenedit,hefound himself again in a different setting, this time in a colder region, perhapssomewhereinthemountains.

“Iamsurprisedtoseeyouhere,honestly.”Kalkiturnedatthevoice.Sitting,cross-legged,onaslaboficewasamanwitha

longbeardandmattedhair,withahugeaxemountedathisback.Hewaswearingatigerskinaroundhislowerbody.Kalkifeltcold,butthemanseemedimpervioustotheelements.

“Howareyousurvivinginsuchw-w-weather?”Kalkishivered.“You are not feeling cold.You are thinking you are feeling cold,” the figure

said.“Thisisadreamstate.Thisisunreal,allofit.Atasnapofasecond,youcanwakeup.Youareinmeditationalyoga.”

Kalkistillfeltcold.Whatwasthismanhonestlytryingtosay?“Whoareyou?”“You,”hesaid,standinguponhisfeet.“Yearsback,Iwasyou.Iwasthesixth

one.”Kalkiautomaticallylethismouthrun,“LordBhargavRam,”andthenheknelt

downinrespect.“Impressive.YourChannellingpowersareindeedworking.”“HowamIabletocommunicatewithyouandnottheothers?”“Those are snapshots,” Lord Bhargav said, “of history, of what happened.

Thoseareyourpreviousselvesaswell,butyoucanalsoconnectwiththemifyoureallytry.ButIamreal,alive,andwaitingforyouintheflesh.”

“YouareKripa’saccomplice,areyounot?”LordBhargavnodded.“Idonotsurroundmyselfwiththebestcompany,butI

donothavemanyonmyside.Marutihasleftmetoprotecthisown…”“Maruti?”“YoumightknowhimasLordBajrang.”

Ofcourse!KalkihadreadabouthimintheGurukul,howhehadhelpedLordRaghavindefendingagainstaRakshas,whowasstillaTribalbackthen.TheywereallGodsnow,inhistime.

“YouaresayingI’mallofthem?”“Yes,youarepartofabiggerpicture,andweareallpartofLordNarayan,who

hasgivenusthepowerthatweneeded.”Kalkishookhishead.“KripacharyasaidthatthefactthatwegotSomawasour

choice and Lord Govind had said to stop the Soma so that others couldn’t beturnedmad.Hesaidallofitasifitwasscientific,butyousayitasifitwasmeanttobe,asifitwereallpremeditated.”

“Kripacharya is a non-believer when it comes to destiny. Yes. Practicallyspeaking,wearen’tsame.WewereallmistakenlyorintentionallyexposedtoSoma,insomewayortheother.ButIbelievewewereexposedforagreatercause,forourtime. Just because one person doesn’t believe it, he has no right to impose anyrestrictionsontheotherpersonaswell,”Bhargavsmiled.“Sotellme,whatdoyoubelievein?”

Kalkiwasquiet,contemplating,choosinghiswordscarefullyforhewasdealingwitha strangemanwhocouldmeethim inhisdreams.Hewas tall,brusqueandhard,withveinsprotrudinginhisarms,hiseyesbulgingandhischestflexing.Hewasoldevidently,buthewasstrongasarock.

“Ihaven’tfigureditout.”“Itisbecauseyouhavenotseentheworld.Youliveinyournest,butonceyou

come out, you’ll get the answers ofwhowe are—whetherwewere bestowed orwhetherwewerejustmistakes.”

Kalkinarrowedhiseyes.“All theotherAvatars likeushavedied.Howcomeyoudidn’t?”

Bhargavwentsilent.“Iwouldprefertotellyouwhenyoucomeandmeetme.Theseanswerscanbeunderstoodwhenyouhavelearntandlostenough…”andhiswordstrailedoff,asheturnedtofaceavisceral imageofawomanwatchingoverhim.

Andwithamightyslapacrosshischeek,Kalkicameintohissensesandrealizedhewasn’tseeinganyimage,butwasbacktowherehehadbeen—amongstshrubsandtwigs,concealedbythecanopy.Thesunwasbrightandtherewasnotraceofthebone-chillingcold.Everythinghadfeltsounrealandrealatthesametime.Hecouldfeelhisfingertipswerecoldasice.TherewasanothersmackandKalkiwokeupfromthedeliriousdream,watchinghishands.

“What in the heavens are you doing in a field?” Lakshmi asked with a

concernedlook.“WhatwasIdoing?”“Youwerecomatose.Eyesopened,butnotspeakinganything.Iwasworried.”

Lakshmikneltdown, tohis level. “Iwas sicklyworried for a fool like you.Whatwereyoudoing?”

Kalki sighed.Hewanted to tell her everything,but itwould justmake thingscomplicated.“ItoldShukotowakemeupwhensomeonewouldbearound.Whereisthat…”hebegantoscantheenvironment,whenLakshmiturnedhisface,inchesawayfromher.

“Hesaidhewouldn’tinterfereagainlikehedidlasttime.”“Uh.”Kalkifeltstilldelirious.“Isee,”hecoughedtomaskhisdisorientedness.

“Well,uh,I’msurehedidn’tsaythat.”“Yeah,well,notintheliteralsense,butIgotitandyoushouldtoo.”Kalkiwatchedher.Andhesmiled.Hecouldn’thelpbutsmile.Shewouldbring

stabilityinhislife,morethanever.Hewasstuckinaholeandshehadpulledhimout.Howwouldhesurvivewithoutherinthisworld?

“I’mafraid,”Lakshmisaid,herarmswrappingaroundhisneck.“IwantyoutoknowI’mafraid.Idon’twanttodie.”

“Youwon’t.Ipromise.”Kalkiwrappedhisarmsaroundherwaist.Theywereclose, so close thathe couldhearherheartbeat and smellherbreath. “I’mafraidtoo.IwanttoadmittotheworldthatI’mafraid.”

“Iknow.Icanseeit.”“Iknowyoucan.Youalwaysdo.”“It’sokay,youknow,”shenoddedvigorously.“It’sallrightifweareafraid.It’s

nottheendoftheworld.It’sabsolutelyallright.”“Iknowitis.Iknow.IwishIcouldfeelit.Thatit’sokay.ButIdon’tfeelit.”“WhatifIdie?”Lakshmiasked.Kalkihadn’tmanagedtothinkitthrough.Itwaslikeapainhewouldn’tbeable

toface.“Idon’twanttothinkofthatkindofascenario.Inmyeyes,youliveeverytime,witheachblinkandeachsigh.”

Theylookedateachotherforawhile,holdingeachothertightly.Kalki’sheartskipped a beatwhenhe came forward, hoping tomeet her lips, brushing againsthers,butthenthereweremultiplesounds,beforehecouldevendosomething.Thehornswereblown, the templebellswere rung, and thematter athandhad tobepostponed.Theylookedateachother,bothflusteredandfrightenedastheyknewwhatthehornsandthebellsmeant.

Thewarhadbegun.

Sending out Shuko to see howmuchof the armywas out there at the entrance,KalkihadleftforMadira’sChalicewhereeveryonehadgathered.Therewereotherelders as well. The entire tavern was filled with the village folks, some worried,while somewere rantingaboutgivingup thebattle.When theyall sawKalki andLakshmicomingtogether,theirvoicesgrewsilent.

Kalkiwalkedforward,hisarmsbyhisside,whilehisimpassivefaceswivelledtosee everyone from the village. They were all frightened, worried, almost on thevergeofhopelessfear.

Kalkisaid,“Idon’twantto imposemywill,but ifyoucareaboutthisvillage,detestthosemonstersthatstandoutsideandthengotoIndravan,standoutsidethecaves,anddon’tletthemdestroyit.”

“Whatiftheykillus?”oneofthemasked.“Theywon’t.”Kalkilickedhisdrylips,hishandsshakingevenashesoughtto

continue,“Ifyouallstandtogether.”Anotheroneshoutedfromthecrowd,“Willyouwin?”Kalkisighed.Thatwasascaryquestion.Hewantedtobehonestandtellthem

itwasdifficult,buthishandswereclaspedbyanotherpairofhands,warmandsoft.TheywereofLakshmi’s,whogavehimanacknowledgingnod.

“Yes.”Kalki had a surge of energy inside him. “The very fact thatwe don’tbelievewewillwin is exactlywhywewill lose.Wemust begin tobelieve, in themostoptimisticway,thatwewillrisefromthisdarknessandbeatthemonsterswhodecidedtotakeawayourtradition.”

Nooneutteredanotherword.Silencebegintocreepin.Kalkididn’t likeit.Itmeanttheyhadbeguntobelieveinhim.That’swhathewanted,right?Whydidheimmediately fear this hope towards him? Why was he so afraid of taking aresponsibility? The lives of many people now rested on him, many families andtheir children lookedup tohim.Theybelievedhe coulddo it.Thepressurewasintense.Therewasalittlepartofhimthatfeltheshouldgobackintimeandnotstandon thepedestal, proclaiminghis adversarial attitude towards the city royals.Hewasjustavillageboyfromasmallplace.Perhapshehaddreamttoobig.

NO!Hecouldn’thavethese thoughts.HetightlycuppedhishandswithLakshmi’s

andgaveanodatthevillagefolksbeforemovinginside.Timechangedpeople,butourchoicesdictatedwhetheritwasforthebetterorfortheworse.

Theinsideofthetavernwashaphazard.Halfwereclimbingthestairscarryingboulders,rocksandweapons,whileothersweremappingout,standingclosetothefire lamps and candles. The smell of sweat and the palpable adrenaline wasoverpowering. Each volunteer gave a nod at Kalki; it was a sign of respect andadmiration.Hehadgainedalotofthatovertheseperiodofdays,buttheywereallsoyoung,sonaïve.Wouldtheybeabletofight?

HereachedthemainroomwhereArindamsatsilentlyinthecorner.Kripawasleaningforwardandtracingthemapthatwasplacedonthecentretable.DevadattawastherewithArjanandBalaaswell.Arjanhadanewweapon:abowandarrow,afitchoiceforaladlikehim.Balahadamacenow,heavierthanhim,buthecarriediteffortlessly.Devadattadidn’tcarryanything,justlikeKripa.

He had said to Kalki, Shambala was a village where weapons were anextraordinaryoverture.TherewasnoarmouryinShambalaasitwasanagriculturalvillage.Thingshadchangednow,ofcourse.

“Wherewereyou,mate?”Kripasaid.KalkileftLakshmi’shandandmadehiswayaroundthetable.“Allright,what

dowesee?”“Whatdoesyourparrotsee?”Hehadn’treturnedtillnow.Washehitbyanarrow?Hehopednot.“Wecheckedfromthetopofthisinn,”Arjanspokealoud,silencingtheothers.

“Theentranceof thevillage isblockedcompletely.Thereare tentserected in the

forest.Thearmy,welltheyarequitedifferentfromwhatwehadexpected.”“Do they have snakes on their breastplates?” Kalki recalled how there were

Nagas,policingthestreetsinIndragarh.Perhapstheywouldhavecomealltheway.“No.Infact, therewasnosymbolatall. Justarmour,andsomeof them, if I

recall,didn’thaveanyarmouratall.”Lakshmi sat on the ground instantly, as if she hadheard some terrible news.

Kalkicametoherrescueasheheldherarm.“Whathappened?”“Nosymbols,whichmeans, theydon’t followaGodof theirown,”Lakshmi

said.“Thatmeans…”“Rakshas,”endedKripa,withhisvoicegraveandhoarse.“No,”gaspedDevadatta,ashecoweredagainstthewall.Kalki knew why everyone was worried. The most fascinating part about

Gurukulwas the fact thathehad learnt about theTribals, theoncehomogenousracethatcoexistedwithManavs,butwhohadlongsincebeendisbanded.OneoftheforemostmenwhohadbeguntherebellionforhisfightforsurvivalwasKingDashananofEelam,downinthesouth.HewasthesamemanKalkihadseenwhenhehadChanneledandgonebackintime.Hewasthemanwhowasexitingaflyingmachine.

Rakshas,inthemostrealisticterm,wereravagers.Theydidn’tcare.Theydidn’tmind. They would eat their own after killing them. They had no remorse. Theywere creatures of the dark.And theywereTribals.But unlikePisaches, the oneswhohadlosttheirmind,Rakshasweresupremelyintelligent.Theyweren’tpawns.Theywerealldark-skinned,oneof theirmajorfeatures,andmanyof theirnameswererelatedtotheirearlierchiefs.Theydidn’thaveaGod,becausetheybelievedinthemselves; positing faith inwar and its consequences. They didn’t have armourbecausetheydidn’tneedit.

“Sarpanchji.”KalkiturnedtowardsDevadatta.“Thereareanumberofpeoplewaitingoutside,”hesaid,ashelookedattheold,weakmanwhowouldn’tbeofanyuse to them here. “Youmust guide them to Indravan, where you have tomakethemshieldtheentranceofthecave.They’llbeprotected,underthewingofLordIndra.”

Devadattanodded.“MaythethunderofVajrabewithyou,son.”Henoddedateveryoneandbrisklyexitedfromtheroom.

As he did, a parrot entered from the half-opened door, gliding inside. Butbeforehe could even say anything,Arjan stormed in anger. “Youmade somanypeople go there to the one place where the enemies want to go. Don’t youunderstand?Hasyourmindbeenthickenedwithallthisreligiousnonsense?”

Anunbelieverhewas,Kalkiknew,buttheangerwassorealthatKalkihadtotellhimtherationalebehindhisaction.“Isentthemthere,nottobeinanyGod’swing,buttobestandingoutsideinlargenumbers,becausenomatterhowbigthearmyis,theywillnotkillanyoneonaholyland.”

“TheyareRakshas, theydon’tbelieve inwhat isholy.”Arjancarefully settledback now, perhaps a pang of embarrassment finally breaking through his angryobstinacy.

“Butthepersonwhoisleadingthemwouldbelieveinit,”Kalkiretorted.Balacoughedtointerferebetweenthebrothers’quarrel.“Andwhowouldthat

be? Parrot, seize the moment and regale us with your unlimited vision ofknowledge!”

Theparrotsquawkedafterwatchingeveryone.“LADY!LADY!TALLLADY!”Kalkigottheanswer.

“Well, we know who is leading them now.” Kalki made Shuko sit over hisshoulder. Arjanwas still angry, whileKripawas justwatching the drama aroundhim,silently.

“Mates, today is not the day to fight amongst ourselves. We have to fightagainstthem.”

Kalki nodded as he came to the map and began to study the in-depthcartographyofShambala.

“The entrance is here,” he pointed at the north-east end of the village, “thepillarscoverthetwoends.Haveweblockedtheentrance?”

“No,”Balasaid.“Butthearchersarereadytohitthemfromfar.”“TheyareRakshas,”Kripasaid.“Theirskinsaretougherthantheaverage.An

arrow made of bamboo would do little harm to them.We need to harm themrepeatedlytodrivethemback.”

Bala’smouthwentgrim.Hehadn’texpectedthat.“Lookat this,”Kalki’s fingerdancedover the long conicalhillsides.The two

terrains,oneitherside,wereslantingandgavewaydownwards.“Whatifwebringtwobouldersoneitherside,andpushthemdown?That’lltakethembysurprise.”

Kripastudiedtheterraincarefullyandgaveagrudgingsmile.“Notbad,justlikehowyourbrotherhadplanned,butitwon’tkillmany.”

“Wecanblocktheirway,perhaps,”Kalkisaid.“Andharmtheothers.”“Soundsfair,”Kripasaid.“Whatabouttheotherswhomakepasttheboulder?

Yousee,awardoesn’tendinaday,itgoesonforquiteafewdays,andsotheycanpushandbreakthrough.”

“Wehavepeoplereadytothrowyourexplosives,”addedArjanquietly.

Lakshmihadcomeforward,watchingalltheplanning.“Yes,theycouldthrowitatthemfromthetreesthatwehavehereandthere,”shepointedattheforestthatdenselysurroundedtheplace.“Rakshasareafraidofheights,right?”

“Those were the old times,” Kripa shrugged. “Many have overcome thathandicapandchosentoconquertheirfear.”

Lakshmipursedherlips.“Catapultscanbeusedfromeitherend,”Arjansaid,pointing to theopposite

sideoftheareawheretheRakshaswouldenterfrom,andcomeinthemaincircle.“Wecanthrowfirebouldersatthem.”

Kalkilistenedtoallofthoseideas.“Therewillbenoclosecombat,allright?”“Evenifwewantedto,wecan’t.Therearetoomanyofthemandwearequite

lessinnumber.”KalkiturnedtoShuko.“Howmany?”“LOT!”“That’shelpful,bird!”exclaimedBalairritatedly.“Howreliablearethecatapults?”“Wehaven’ttriedthemenough,”Arjanadmitted.“Theyhavecomeearlierthan

theyweresupposedto.”Lakshmisaid,“Theamountofresourceswehavewouldjustlastusforadayor

perhapstwointhebattle.”Kalkishookhishead.Hecouldn’tunderstandhowtosolvetheissue.“Arjan,I

wantyoutoputmostofthearchershereontheeast,andafewovertheterrainsonthewest.Thesouthwillbeemptyasthereareonlyhutsandtheydon’tcareaboutthem. Iwould like you to send the infantry in groups of ten to each house andscoutifeveryonehasleftforIndravan.IfaRakshasfindsanyonealoneinoneofourhomes…Iwantfiftymen,bearingaxesandswords,withLylaandSagarleadingthem,”Kalki concluded.“That’ll giveus a systematicwayofworking rather thanjustrammingthemforward.”

“Thequestion iswhyhaven’t theyenteredtillnow?”RoshanMitra,bitinghisnails,asked.Kalkiturnedtoseehim.Needtogetintomyheadspaceagain.“Don’tyouallthinkit’skindofoddtonotattackanunguardedentrance?Imean,theyshouldbealloverit.”

Theentireroomwassilent.“Theycanbegettingtheirsupplies,woodcutter,”Lylaspat.“Likeus,theymust

beplanning.”“Or…”Lakshmigasped.“Ireaditinabookthatthewardoesn’tstartuntil…”Therewas ahugebangon thedoorbefore shecouldcompleteher sentence.

Kalkinoddedhishead,signallingtoholdthethoughtwhilehewentforthedoor.Kalki opened the door to find a tall man, with uneven teeth, perhaps half-

broken, standingoutsidewith threemoremen.Theyweredarkascoal,withhairthatwasunbelievablymatted.

Kalki had been in Indragarh, but he hadn’t laid his eyes on the Rakshasproperly,fortherewerenexttononeinthemaincityarea.Thefewthatwerestillpresentwere in LordKali’s employment. By the look of theRakshas, theywereexactly what he had imagined them to be—ugly and grotesque, though notimbeciles like theMlecchas.And theywere tall;perhaps theiraveragesizewasofBala’sheight,somewhatmoreperhaps.

“AmessageforyoufromLadyDurukti,”themessengersaid,hisvoicehavingathick Dakshini ring to it, as their origins were in Eelam, which was south ofIllavarti.

KalkiopenedthescrollandbegantoreaditwhileKripajustglancedatitandbackedoff.Bala,Lyla,Sagarandtheothershadlinedtoseethescrolleach,readingitagainandagaintocomprehendwhattheso-calledLadyDuruktihadwritten.

Themessengerreturnedtohishorseandlookedatthetavern.Hescoffed,andwithhispeople,theymockinglylaughed,speakingintheirowndialect.Itwassaidthat theunrelentinglyhotDakshini sunmade their skin sodark.Othersgave it aspiritualspin,byascribingittotheirsinfulwayofliving.

Butevenfacedwiththehorroroftheirfaçade,Kalkiknewallthesetalesaboutthembeingsupernaturalwerebogus,becausetheywerebuiltandarmeddifferentlybut were similar to Manavs, representing an entire different culture. That alsomeanstheywerekillable.Kalkifoundhopeinthatthought.Aghostisonlyscarytillyouseeit.Thenitjustbecomesanimage.

“Wedonotwishtoharmqueerfolkslikeyou.Wehopeyouchoosetherightdecision,”theyallscoffedinunison.Andthentheyrodeoff,theirretreatinghorses’hoovessettingintomotiondustfromtheground.

The scroll said: “Either surrendernow,orhave a close combatduelbetweenthetwobestfightersfromeachside.Whoeverwins,willseizetheresultwithoutanyprotest.”

“If theywin,”Lakshmi read it seriously,“theywill raid thevillage. Ifwewin,theywillreturnhome.”

AndKalkiknewwhowouldhavetogoforthisduel.

DuruktihadtravelledfromIndragarhtoShambalaandithadnotbeenaneasyride.Thechariot shehad travelled inhadbeen tough.The tentswereerected for rest,butitwasunevenandrocky,withthesoundofwildanimalskeepingherawakeforthebetterpartofthenight.

Andallthiswhile,shehadtalkedtoChiefMartanja,theparamilitaryleaderoftheRakshas.UnlikeotherRakshas,hewasn’tsotallanddaunting.Hehadcalmandasoft-spokenexterior.DuruktihadallthesekindsofnotionsaboutRakshas.Theywereunclean,dirtyandmortifying.Butmanyofhernotionshadbeenclearedwhenshemettheminreallife.

Shecouldstill recallhowshewasoldenough toseeLordRaktapaandKali’sdeal.Unlikeotherswhodidn’tknowhowthathadhappened,KalihadtakenhelpfromtheDakshinis,whohadevengiventhegiftofashiptotraveltoEelamandhave a rich discussion with Raktapa. It had taken him a month and a lot ofpromisesbyKalitofinallylettheRakshascomeontheplainsofIllavarti.

Raktapa was a calm person, which was surprising for Durukti, who alwaysimaginedtheRakshastobeviolent.Theywere,infactgreatbelieversofLordShivaandhadaprotectedTemple,deepinthecoldregionstothenorthofEelam,wheretheywouldundertakeapilgrimageeveryyear.Unlikesometheories,Eelamwasn’t

thehottestplacetolive.Sunkilledtheskin,sure,butatnightthewindsfromtheseawouldsoothetoo.Andduringwinters,whichshehadexperiencedwhilestayinginEelam, there was even snow. Raktapa had said that their bodies weren’t darkbecause of the heat, but because of their heritage.They had been born like this,sincetimeimmemorial.

ChiefMartanja remindedherofRaktapaa lot.Hehadacarefree smile andanoble,broadface,withaTrishul-shapedpendanthangingaroundhisneck.Butthemost noticeable feature about himwas his left eye. Itwas stitched shut and hadhealed now, the skin over it having peeled back. It showedMartanja had faceddeathfromclose.

Whentheywere inthetent,examiningthemapofShambala, itwasthenthatDuruktihadaskedhim:“Ithoughtyourmendon’twearasymbolandyetyouwearsomethingtoworshiptoLordShiva.”

“Wedon’ttellweloveLordShiva.Allthisinkonyourarms,thegoldenplateinthenameoflords,it’salljustflimsytous,mylady.Wearen’tlikethat.Wearetruebelieversandthis…”hesignalledathischest,thumpingitthenwithagrin.“Thisisour symbol.Not even this pendant, for this is just a token givenbymymother.LordShivaisinourhearts,oursoul.Notinanymaterialisticsense.”

Durukti was impressed by the Brahmarakshas. The Brahmarakshas were thechiefs,mostlywhowereBrahminsbybirthandwereoftheRakshastribe,themostlearnt and the most affluent, the most skilled of them all. When killed, theBrahmarakshas’titlewouldbepassedontootherchiefslikeMartanja.

WhentheyhadreachedclosetoShambala,Martanjacouldfigureoutthestateofthe.

“Mylady,itissurprisingnooneisthere,it’sempty.”“They must be hiding,” she said, but her voice was drowned by the breeze

blowing against the ferns, and the other Rakshas continuously training, clangingtheirironspears,tossingandswingingtheirjavelins.Duruktiscannedthemanyredtentsandhorses.Symrinwasrightbehindher,afraid,almostclutchingtoherrobe.

TheyweresoclosetoSomaandyetsofar.Theycouldn’tattackjustlikethat.Withnoarmytoface, theycouldn’tenter.Thatwouldbeashameandtarnish totheimageoftheRakshas,whofoughtinvalianceandinself-defenseonly.

Martanjasenttwomenaroundtoscout.Theywaitedbythefire,asthepoachedbearroasted.Theyatethattillthescoutscamebackontheirhorses.

“Chief,halfofthemareclosetothecavesandhalfofthemarepreparingforarchery.Theyhave somekindof explosives too.They alsohappen tobehiding,someofthem,inalocaltavern,”thescoutsaid.

Martanja,eatingtheroastbear,justnodded.Durukti shot Symrin a look, whowas feeding on beans. “You toldme they

didn’thaveanarmoury?”Symrinlookeddownindisappointment.Alreadyexhausted,shedidn’thaveher

usualsmartquips.“We don’t need iron for swords. Back in the South, we practiced with only

bamboo,strongerthanthebloodyironifyouaskme,mylady,”Martanjaquippedthoughtfully. “The estimate says there are almost five hundredmembers andwecan’t attack them at once. It’ll be a foolish move and something that’ll attractattentionofyourbrotherandtheotherTribalLords,mylady.Webothdon’twantthatasweneedtodothisdiscreetly.”

Durukti nodded. “I don’t want a bloodbath here. Shambala is an importantvillage for Indragarh and Lord Vedanta would despise my brother and me if Ichoosetotarnishtheimage.Butwealsoneedtowin.”

“Wecandosobyhonor,mylady.Thebestfighterfromeachsidecouldcomeforthandbattle.Whoeverwinswillhavefreeaccesstoexecutetheirplan.”

Duruktithoughtforawhile.Thatdidmadesense.“I don’t expect a lot from them, but they are preparing. Surely, we will be

attacked preemptively if we don’t send out a message. I don’t want to lose mymen.”Hesoundedlikeahiredmercenary.Duruktihadpaidhimalotingoldandsilvertosecurehisloyaltyanddiscretenessforthisexpedition.

“Sotheduelsoundsgood?”“Surely,andonmanylevels,fortheymighthavesometricksuptheirsleeves,”

he said, “like a vidhyadhar.” He mentioned the magic practitioners of the land.“Theyusedtohaveatribebutarenowdispersedandarelimitedtotheatreshowsor road shows where they awe people with their tricks. “But they wouldn’t behavingastrongwarriorlikewedo.”

DuruktiscannedtheRakshas—theywereallsotallandbroad,itmadeDuruktifeelsmall.Manavshadordinaryheightaswell,whiletheNagasandRakshaswerealljusttree-sized.

“Whowouldyousendfortheduel?”“IhaveKumbh,”hesaid.“NamedafterLordDashanan’sbrother,mylady.”“Ihopehewon’tsleepalotlikeyourLord’sbrother.”Duruktihadreadabout

Dashanan.Whilemanyconsideredhimaneccentricman,hewasaseekerofpeaceorthat’swhatRaktapahadportrayedhimas.Itwasa longtimeback,backwhenDashananhadcome,buthehadgiventhemEelam,carvinganiceislandforthemtostayandprosperon.

Martanjalaughed.“Anything,butthat.He’squitehandy.”Durukti nodded, standingonher feet, for shehad finishedher food.At that

instant,Symrinalsostoodup.“Allright.Butjustrememberonething.”Theimageofherweakandwoundedbrotherwhowassufferingfromadebilatingdiseaseandinjury,begantochokehervoicealittle.“Wehavetowin.”

Arjanshookhishead.“Theyaremockingus.”Kripa nodded. “True.” He moved forward looking at everyone, his hands

danglingbesidehisbody.“It’sliketheoldtimes,astheyusedtodo.Bestwaytonotendupwithalotofcasualties.WhoeverthisladyDuruktiis…”

“LordKali’sbloodsister,”Lakshmisaid,whileeveryoneturnedtoseehowsheknew this piece of information. “My aunt. She works in the government,remember?”

“Anyway,”Kripacontinued,“shedoesn’twantabloodbath,soshe’schoosingthelesscumbersomeway.Inthismanner,shewillwinbecausesheknowswehavenofighteronoursidewhoisstrongenough,whileshehasthestrongestTribalonherside.Shecanfreelyenterwithourdefeat.It’sgoodeitherways,though.Ifwebyhappenchancewin,thentheywillleave.”

Arjanhadcrossedhisarms.“Okay,butwhatistheguarantee?”“Mate,thisisabattle,”Kripasmiledcheekily.“Therearen’tguarantees.There

areonlyexchangedwordsandpromisesthattheyoughttokeepwitheachother.”“Betterthanscavengingforbodiesifwerejectthisoffer,”Kalkisaid.Lylainterrupted,“Weshouldrejectitandfightwithallourmight.”Kripashookhishead.“Notthesmartestmovetomakebytheway,lass.Weare

untrained,weakanddispersed.Rightnowouronlyhopeisthiscombat.”“Can I ask howwill we find someonewho’s as strong as that big, dark and

toughmanwesawrightnow?”RoshanMitraclearedhisthroatininquiry.Everyone turned to faceBala,whoarrogantly lifteduphismaceandgrinned.

ButKalki sawLakshmi andKripawatching him intently.And thenhis eyesmetArjan’s, who didn’t look at Bala, but at Kalki. They had a silent exchange ofapprovalwith eachother, butKalki knewhe couldn’t exposehimself in frontofLordKali’ssister.Ifsheknewhowstronghewas,whatheheldinsidehim,thingswouldtakeawhollybitterturn.

Theywerestandingopposite theRakshasarmy.Kalkihadagreed to theduel,buthecamewithhisownpreparations.Therewerepeoplestandingonthetopofthe terrains, invisible to the Rakshas and Lady Durukti, ready to trample themunder stones, given a chance. All the archers and the swordsmenwere in place,whilefolkswithbolaswerestanding,readytohurtthemwiththeexplosives.Kalkihadseentheeffectsofit.Itwouldn’tkilltheRakshas,buteasilywoundtheirfaceoratmostblindthem.

Lakshmihadsentanumberofmentoscoutandseeifthevillagewasempty.LylaandSamratwerefiftyyardsaway,onthesamepaththatledtoIndravan.ArjanandKripawereontheeasternfrontwhileRoshanwasonthewest,waitingforavolley of arrows to be shot if anythingwentwrong.Therewere a few dispersedsoldierswhowerestandingatguard,awayfromtheRakshascamp.Somewereontreeswiththeirbows,whileotherswereonbullockcarts,hiding.Anydisturbanceandtheywouldpouncewiththeirweapons.Mostoftheeldersandnon-volunteerswereatIndravan,perhapsprayingfortheoneswhowereriskingtheirlivestosavethem.KalkiandBalawerestandingwithtwomorevolunteersattheback,holdingaxes.Theydidn’tcomeprepared,butDuruktihad.ShebroughtapackofRakshasattheback,whileshewasonthehorsewithanotherwoman.

HowdidheknowwhoDuruktiwasoutofthetwo?Itwasbecauseofthewaysheentered.Shehadanairabouther,thewayherchinwasliftedup.Butmostofall, Kalki was surprised that she was…his age, or perhaps even younger. Andexceptionally pretty. The mere thought of acknowledging the enemy’s beautyflusteredhim.Heconcentratedonthemomentathand.Duruktihadaflamboyantgoldenandmaroonlacedrobe.Tightlyclutchingthehorse’sreins,shelookedovertheentireterrain,studyingKalki.Hewasintornanddullclothes,unlikethem.The

lady next to her was perhapsArjan’s age, but not as pretty asDurukti. Shewaspretendingtobeanaristocraticwomanbutsomethingabouthermadehimfeellikeshewasanative,perhapsfromavillage.Theonlydistinguishingfeatureaboutthegirlwashersevenfingers.Theysaiditmeantshewaslucky,thoughKalkidoubtedit.What was so lucky being with a woman who wanted to destroy an innocentvillage?

“I am grateful you have accepted our combat idea. We were worried youwanted a battle.Hopefully,we have both come to a decent resolution.”Duruktismiled,hervoicegentle.

Whatwasshedoing?Whywasshebeingsosweet?Questionsplaguedhimandpiercedhisconscience.Hewasworried,sincethesweetestoneswerealsothemostdangerous.

“This isBala.”Kalki thumpedhis friend’s back as he came forwardwith hismace,frowningandhuffing.

Duruktinodded.“ChiefMartanja,”shesaid,pointingtotheone-eyedRakshas,who was the only one wearing a breastplate amongst the other ones, “call yourfighter.”

Martanjasignalledtowardshismen.Kalkiwaitedforamammoth-sizedenemyfromtheirend.PassingthroughtheRakshasbandofmen,appearedalanky,shortmanwith a javelin in his hand,wearing nothing but a dhoti.He had scars linedacrosshisdarkskinandhehadlittlehaironhisheadandhisbody.Buthisfacewasheavilybearded.

BalalookedatKalki.Andtheybothknewtheyweren’texpectingthis.“HisnameisKumbh,”Duruktisaidwithastraightface.Kalki began to breathe a sigh of relief. Bala was a trained guardsman and

Kumbhwashalfhissize.Bala’soneslapwouldsendhimsprawlingontheground,never to get up again.Kalki heaved a sighof reliefwhenBalawent forward, hismacereadytowreakdamage.

Thebattlespotwasn’tanythingtowritehomeabout.Itwasagentlyundulatingclearing near the forest, with heavily flowering shrubs on one side, and weaksunlight filtering from the tree canopies above them. Thewhole area smelled ofdried,burningleavesandoil.PerhapstheseRakshasanointedthemselveswithalotofoilastheystankofit.Kalkicouldseeallofthemglisteningwithoilandwearingtheirarmoursandcarryingtheirweapons.Theylookedfarmorereadyascomparedtohisownragtagside.

“Letitbegin,”Duruktisignalled.Thiswasit

The circular area,where the patch of landwas, became their ground for thecombat.Theycircledeachother.KalkistudiedeachmoveKumbhmade.Hewaswalkingcasually,whileBalawascrouchedforward,legsbent,readytolurch.

ThatwaswhenBalarushedtowardsKumbhreadytoattack,butnotwiththemace.Hewas hoping to use brute strength againstKumbh.Kumbh rolled over,dodgingtheattackandcomingoutoftheclearing.Hediditinasnapofasecond.Balacouldn’t realisewherehewent.Heturnedaround.Kumbhwas therebehindhim.Hewassmirking.

Kalki sawBalanowbegin tousehismace, twisting thehandle andcircling itaroundthetop,hismouthcontortingintoanalmightyyellashewasabouttostrikeKumbh. Except he struck only air. Kumbh had again escaped.Hewas standingbehindBala again.Hecouldhave easily climbedon topofBala andpiercedhimwithhisweapon,buthedidn’t.HewassavouringeachsuchfutileattackthatBalamade.

Kumbh’seachcalculatedmovementwasamarvelofitsown.Hemovedlikeasnake,slitheredandrattled,dodgedandswept,andunlikeotherRakshas,hewasn’tbuiltwelleither.Rather,hisarmswereslimandhisstomachwasconcave.Buthisfacewasfullofvitalityandenergy.Hewasastrangeenigma.

Bala againwent forward, but hemissed each strike.And that only led to hisfrustration.KalkicouldseeBalawasgrowingimpatient.Hewasfurious,histhroatconvulsing with anger. He yelled loudly in anger and charged once again at thequickKumbh.

Andyetagainhedodged.KalkilookedatDuruktiandthenatMartanja.Theywereenjoyingthis.No.He’stiringhimout.Andbeforehecouldspill thesecret toBala, thesixfeetnine inchguardsman

rushedtohitKumbh,whojustslylysidesteppedtheattack,gaveasomersaultintheairandcameoverBala’sshoulder.Withoneofhishands,hegrabbedhisneckandthe other grabbed the weapon. He didn’t kill Bala instantly. Rather, he pushedhimself down, letting Bala collapse as well, due to the combined weight. Balatrippedandashedid,Kumbhpushedhimselfaway fromthebigmanandrolledback. Kumbh came forward, while Bala was trying to regain his footing,somersaultingagainandlettinghisjavelinpierceBala’schest.

Excepthecouldn’t.TheastonishedeyesofKumbhlookedupatwhatstoppedhisjavelinsofast.Holding his javelin was none other thanKalki, his fist clenching around the

ironrod,almosttwistingthespearat theendwithbruteforce.Atrickleofblood

dripped over Bala, who was in shock of what had happened. Kumbh had adumbfoundedexpression;hewasweak,almostshuddering.

Kalkibegantoclenchthejavelintighterandthebladejustbrokeinonepiece.He grabbed the end of the javelin and with tremendous force, he plunged thejavelin’s weak end against Kumbh’s chest. He fell back just like how Bala hadcollapsed a while back. Kalki came forward, tossing the javelin on the side andgrabbing hold of Kumbh, as he began to drag him against the muddy ground,chokinghim.Kalkirainedafewpunchesoverhisgut.Bleedingfromhisnoseandmouth,Kumbhhadlosthisearlierfrenziedlookofvitality.Hewasweakandtimid.KalkilookedatMartanjaandDurukti,whowerewatchinghimintently,mortified,butalsoawedbythegrandsightofwhatKalkiwasabletodototheirbestwarrior.And thenKalki let gooffhis throat.Kumbh’sbody just fellon theground.Thevery fact thathewasable tosurpriseKumbhwaswhatgavehim leverageon thequickwarrior.

KumbhwasonthegroundandKalkiwatchedhimwithnarrowedeyes.Hehada bloody nose, that Rakshas. Kalki looked up, wiping the blood from his palm,tearingapieceofhistunicandwrappingitaroundhispalmashelookedupatthedisappointedDurukti.

Bala came on to his feet, grabbing Kalki’s face. He was shivering and forsomeonewhoknewBala,itwasasurprise.Perhapsthefactthathewassoclosetodeathmadehimrealisethefinitenessoflife.

“We have won,” Kalki calmly said. Martanja just watched Kumbh as if hecouldn’t believe his bestwarrior had been knocked downby a village simpleton.Buthedidn’tknowKalkiwasmorethanjustthat.“Youhavetoleave…now,”heorderedandhebegantomoveawaywhenheheardthesamegentlevoice.

“Youwereneverpartofthefight!”“Wellwhatdoyouknow?Iwasthesurpriseelementinthefight.”AflashofangersweptacrossDurukti’sface.“Youwanttoplayitlikethis?”KalkiturnedtofacethesisterofKaliandnodded.“All right then.” Durukti looked at Martanja. “Grab the boy and raid the

village.”Kalki’sbodystiffened,beforeherealizedthattenRakshascametohisside.He

lookedatBalaandsignalledathimtorushoffwiththeguardshehadbrought.Baladidso,whileKalkitriedtogetridofasmanyRakshasaspossible.SomeofthemevenchasedBala,buthewasquickenoughtoescapedeepinthewoods.

Theydidn’tkillKalkisohepunchedafew,beforehisarmsweretrappedandhislegsweretightlyboundtogether.Kalkiwasforcedintoastrap,ashelookedup

in thesky.Hecouldseehisfather’s image in it forawhile,ashewasboundandtakenforward,hisbackbeingflayedbythecontinuouslashesfromtheirwhips.HewasforciblymadetokneelbeforeDurukti.Hecouldn’thearorseeBalaanywhereandheonlywishedtheywouldfightvaliantly.

“Youbetrayedtheagreement.”“I played the way you played.” Durukti smiled, the ingeniousness and

deviousnessclearlyvisibleinher.“Don’tkillhim,”shetoldtheRakshaswhowereholdingKalki.

Martanjawassurprised.“Why,mylady?”“Apeasantwhoneeds tenof yourmen tobe tamed,”Duruktinarrowedher

eyes, piercingly glaring at Kalki, who was held against his will by many arms,“cannotbejustamerepeasant.”

Kalki lookedup, straininghis armsagainst theback.Hecould see thevillagefolkshadbroughtthebouldersontheoppositeside,abovethebattlesite.

“NOW!”Kalkiyelled.DuruktiandMartanjayelledattheincomingsurpriseasthevillagerspushedthe

rock and escaped from there. The boulders rolled down against the terrain,smackingeachother aswell as theRakshas and their tents,destroying their foodand shields. While it did not cause any significant casualty, but it did raise thetemperofMartanja,whobynowwasseethinginrage.

“Take this imbecile to thecage!Andattackeachandeveryhouse, raid it andfindthecaves!”

Kalkiwhilebeingdraggedaway,couldonlythinkaboutonething:hasLakshmireturnedtothesecureplace?

Arjanhadseenlittleastowhathadhappened.Thearchershadstrungtheirbows,and they were waiting for his command. Even now, he could see from far thewestern endwhereRoshanMitrawaswaitingwithhis own set of archers.Kripawasonthatsidetoo,hidingbehindarock.Nothinghadhappened.

And then in themidst of the green, hot plain, he was able to see someonerunning.Hiseyesterrified,hismouthagape.Itwassomeonebig,large…Bala.Thethoughtcrossedhismind,butitwasidiotictothinkthatapersonlikeBalawouldberunningfromthewar.

No.ItwasindeedBala.Hewascomingtowardsthem.“Holdyourfire,”KripasaidwhatArjanwantedtosay.As he came forward, away from the bushes that concealed him, he saw two

guards runningbehindBala.And just yards away from themwereRakshas.Theyweren’t sprinting likeordinarybeings,butwere fighting thebreeze,as if trying totackleit.Theylurchedontheguards,withtheiraxes,andchoppedtheirheadsoff.TheyreachedforBala,butbeforethatKripaorderedthevolleyofarrows.

ThetwoRakshaswerehitbythearrows.Balastaggeredpastthelineofarchersthatweremeters fromArjanandKripa.Hegrabbedfor the leavesand thegrass,

pantingrestlessly,demandingwaterthatArjanrushedtoget.Therewerefivepotsfilledwithfreshwaterfromthelakethattheyhadplannedtousewhenthearcherswouldgettired.ArjanhelpedBalaashebegantoquenchhisthirst.Oncedone,hesaid, “They are coming. It’s over. They got…uh… they got…” hewas having ahardtimebreathing,“theygotKalki.”

KripaexchangedaworriedglancewithArjan.“Weneedtogethim,mate,”KripaurgentlybadeArjan.“Whowonthecombat?”Balalookeddown.Hehadlost.“Wedid.Kalkisavedmefromgettingkilled.”Hewasonthevergeoftears.But

Arjansawmorethanjustthesadness.Hesawdisappointment.“Thefighter,hewasso…hewassosmall.Ishouldhavebeenableto…”

Kripakneltdownandgrabbedhimbythetunic.“Nowlisten,fatman.Getthisinyourthickhead.”Hehadaratherbluntwayofspeakingnow,whichonewouldnotveryeasilyreconcilewithhisusualdrunkenswagger.“Weareabouttodie,soIdon’tneedyourweeping.Ineedyourbrawns.”

“Buthewasso…so…small.”Kripa sighed. “Never underestimate your enemy. Size, big or small, doesn’t

matteriftheotherknowswhatthepressurepointsare.”Andthatwaswhentheyheardtheroars.Kripacameforward,whileArjansaw

whathecouldn’tbelieve.Likebeesswarmingaroundahive,itwasRakshasallovertheplace.Theyhad enteredwith axes, swords, spears and javelins.Arjan ran forcoverashegrabbedabowfromhisquiverandshotanarrow,hittingarakshaswhowassprintingtowardshim.

And just like that,Arjan saw they had even taken control of the huts, alongRoshanMitra’sside.SomewereevenmovingtowardsLyla’sgroup,wheremostoftheguardshadbeenstationed.Perhaps,shewouldbeabletostopthem.Perhaps.

ThatwaswhentheRakshasenteredhisterritory.Agroupofpeopleatthebackofthearchersbegantousethebolas.TheytossedittowardstheRakshas.Initiallycaughtunawares,soontheypaidnoheedtothesmallexplosions.Thearchersshotthearrows,butmostofthemjustdodgedthem.Theoneswhogothitwerehitontheirnecksorintheirforeheads,justknockingthemdownonthespot.

The surviving Rakshas just lurched from their positions, grabbing the bows,andstabbedthearchers.Theyevenmanagedtocutthemdeep,rippingtheirtorsosapart. Seeing all the people hehad livedhis entire lifewithbeing killed like this,Arjancouldn’tbelievehiseyesatwhatwashappening.Thevolunteersfoughthard,some evenmanaged to kill, butmost of the time they were beaten and became

victimsofthewraththatwastheRakshas.Arjan sawBala,whowashidingbehind the tree.Findinghis footholdon the

path,heracedtohimandgrabbedhimbythewaist,“Whatareyoudoing?Helpus!Fight!”HeshotanotherarrowthatinstantlypiercedaRakshas’head.

“Iam…Idon’tknow…Idon’tknowifI’llbeableto.I’mnot…notstrong…Ilost.”Bala’spupilsweredilatedinmutefear.

“Strength doesn’tmean youwin every time. It alsomeans to stand up againwhenyoufalldownonce.”

Andatthattime,theRakshashadcomeforward.Arjanpulledbackthestringafterfittingthebow,whenhewasgrabbedbytheRakshasandthrowntotheside.ItwentontoattackBala,whocouldhaveeasilyattackedhimback,buthejustlethim kick and choke him. Arjan saw no hope in Bala anymore. But he did seesomethingfascinatinginKripa,whohadaswordinhishand,justplungingitdeepinsidetheRakshaswhohadattackedBala.

“Fatman;getuswherewecangettoKalki.”“Wewillalldie,”saidthewimpyBala.TheRakshashadmanagedtoravagemostofthearchers,buttherewerethree

ofthemstillalive,readytopounceatArjannow.Hewasoutofbows.Kripaheldouttheswordsinfrontofhim.

ThethreeRakshasgrinnedinunison,asiflinked.OneofthemwentforArjan,and thatwaswhen he felt helpless as theRakshas jumped on him and began toattackhim.Witheachplungeoftheaxethatwasdirectedtowardshishead,Arjantriedtododgeasbestashecould.HeusedhiskneeandhittheRakshasbetweenhisknees.Scavengingforhisfallenbow,hestaggeredoverthegrassandsmackedthe bow across theRakshas,which did not really yield the effect he desired.Helunged,hisbladeglimmeringinthesunlight,whenabigfigurerammedagainstit.

ArjanrealizeditwasnoneotherthanBala,whowasovertheRakshasandhadhismacepummelingthehaplessandbewilderedRakshas.Bala thencasually,withbloodsprayedalloverhischestandface,walkedtotheRakshaswhowasleeringatKripa.ArjanrealizedthethirdRakshaswhohadattackedBalawasalreadyrippedinhalf,asifBalahadbrokenapiecefromaloafofbread.WhentheRakshaswhowasattackingKripasawwhathappenedtohisfriends,hebackedoff,leaningagainstthetree infear.Balacameforward, thumpinghismaceoverhispalmas ifwaitingtosmackthemaninstantly.

Andhewasabouttodothat,Kripastoppedhim.“Weneedtoknowmoreaboutthecamp.”The Rakshas just blinked. “Honestly, I have no idea about the camp.” His

accentwasthick.“Youcankillhim.”Kripashrugged,wipingthebloodfromhisface.Balabeganthemassivepoundingsessiononceagain,whenArjanstoppedhim.“Can you stop scaring me?” the Rakshas pleaded, almost falling over the

groundandbegging.Itwasfunnysincehewastryingtobedominatingearlier.“Justkillmeifyouhaveto,don’tputmeonthevergeof…”hisvoicetrailedoffandhebeganspeakingrapidlyinhisnativetongue.

Kripapulledhimbackup.Frightened,theRakshasasked,“Whatdoyouwant,youall?”

“Howmanymenareinthecamp?”“Onetoomany.”“That’snotanumber.Don’trunyoursmartmouth.Notnowespecially.”Bala

thumpedthetreeanditshook.Surprising as itwas,Arjanwas happy thatBala had returned. For amoment

there,hehadforgottenwhohewasandwhathewaslike.Hehadbeendifferent,souniquelydistinguishedthatArjanrealizedhowrealdeathencountersreallymakethestrongestpersonfalter.Balawasagreatpersonality,someonewhoeveryonewouldlookatandfear,butherehehadbeen, justcryingtohimself.Battlesdosomanythings to an individual, one of them being crushing their soul. Though, he wasback, perhaps from a senseof duty to savehis friendsor perhapsArjan’swordsmighthavejustworked.

“Arounda-a-ahundred.”“Allright,”Kripasaid.“Whataretheexactpointsofthecamp?”Kripabegantomakearoughsketchwithatwigoverthelittlesandyareaonthe

ground.Hemadea rectangleand inside it,hemadecircles that represented tentsandstars thatrepresentedtheRakshas.“Nowtellmeclearly,mate,whoarethereandhowaretheyplaced?”

“I…I…Iwilldie,”hecoughed,“iftheyfindoutIrevealedit…”“Andwhatdoyouthinkwewilldotoyouifyoudon’ttellus?”Kripasignalled

atthebackwheredeadRakshaslay.BytheGods,Arjancouldn’tbelievehewasinthemidstofanadventurehewas

notreadyfor.Hecouldn’tfeelanythingexceptdreadfulfearandsurgingadrenaline,inequalmeasures.Rather,hedidn’twanttofeel.Hewashopingtogetoutofthisentireduel,withhiscalmrationalityandpracticality.Iftheywentaboutthewholeschemeof things systematically, then itwould not be long until they could roasttheseoutcasts.

“Allright,allright.”TheRakshasnoddedglumly,ashekneltdownandbegan

to explain the entire camp toKripa. “Your friend could be uh, could be placedhere, in the cage where we have kept the mules and the horses. This is ouremployer’stent…”

“Durukti?”“Yes, that damn woman,” the Rakshas cursed. “Because of her, I’m stuck

here.”“It’s close to the cage, the employer’s tent.” Kripa nodded. “That means

heightenedsecurity.Howmanyareleftbehindinthecamp?”“Perhapstwenty,mostprobably,justtomakesurenothinggoeswrong.”Kripadidn’tliketheidea.“Youcandowhatyouwanttowithhimnow,mate.”

HetappedBala’sshoulder.TheRakshasbegan topleadagain, like thewayhewasdoingearlier,withhis

palmsflat,hismouthcontortedintoahelplessplea,beforeBalausedhismaceandjusthithimhardonthehead,knockinghimout.

“Whatshouldwedo?”Arjansteppedforward,addressingtheoldguru.“Weneed toescape.”Kripa lookedatBalaandArjanat thesametime,“Get

yourbrotheroutofhereandjustleave.”“WhataboutShambala?”Kripa squared in front of Arjan, tightening his clutches over his shoulder.

“Shambalaisjustonepartoftheworldandtosavetheworld,weneedtosacrificeasmallpartofit.Seethebiggerpicture.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”“Yourbrother ismorethanwhohethinksheis,”Kriparevealed,“AndIwill

explaintoyoubothhowimportantitisforustosavehim,morethanmanypeopleout here. He can’t die because if he does, oh…well…it’ll not just be Shambalathat’llbedevouredbythedestruction.EntireIllavartiwillbeupinflames.”

Arjancouldunderstandthegravityofthesituation,buthealsocouldn’tbelievehisbrotherwassomeonewhowouldsavetheworld.Hewasasimpletonafterall.

“Allright,leaduson,”Arjannodded.Kripa began to enter the forest, followedby the silentBala andArjan,when

Arjanrevealedsomethinggoingoninhismind.“Holdon,wearegoinginsidetheenemylinesandwedon’tevenknowifwewillescape.Whatifwedie?”

Studyingthescenery,Kripascratchedhishead.“Uhwell,Ihaven’tfiguredthatpartinthisentirerescuingmission.”Andhesniggered.

God,Ihatethatlaugh,Arjanthought,buthecontinuedtofollowhim.

Itwashorrible,sittinginthestenchofhorseshit,seeingtheRakshasswingingfromone place to another.He had been trapped in a cage that could easily include adozenmore.He had enough space, and yet he could not breathe. It wasn’t likeKalkididn’ttrytoopenthecage.Withallhismight,hetriedtopushitapart,punchit,andevenpullthebarsapart,butnothinghappened.Perhaps,itwasthewaythemetalhadbeenmadeorperhapshehadweakened.

Withhistongueouttoquenchhisdrymouth,heletthewindtouchhim.Kalkisaw the camp from inside and it wasmore organized that had been perceivableearlier.Therewerea lotofweaponsinonetent,fromwhereeachRakshaswouldgo and get one. There were some bigger tents, perhaps to house Durukti andMartanja.Therewerepotsfilledwithwaterandsuras,whilefirepitsweremadeforlogstobestackedupon.Hecouldn’thearanythingbutwailsandyellsfromeitherside.Buthecouldn’tdistinguishwhichwerefromhispeopleandwhichwerefromtheRakshas.Whomustonesympathizewith,whenyoucan’tevenhearthetruth?

Kalkifeltrestlessashewalkedbackandbegantopunchthecage.Itrattled,butitdidn’tbreak.Hecontinuedtopunchuntilhisknucklesbledandhefeltthehurtstinginghisarms,almosttemporarilyleavingthemnumb.Hehadnothingonhimtocoverhiswoundandthatwouldonlymakeitseptic.

“Anger is good,” a voice came from the back, “but never use it againstyourself.”KalkiturnedtoseeDurukti,withherladycompaniononherside.Inthemidst of the ultimate humdrum and the loud clangs of the weapons, Duruktiremainedcalmasifsheknewshewouldwinthisbattle.

“I’msurethisdidn’tgoasyouthoughtitwould.”Duruktisimplynodded.“Iwouldagreewithyouonthat.”Shepaused.“Itwas

abravelittleattemptfromavillagelikeShambala,butyoumustallrealisethatyouarefacingtrainedmen.”

“TheyareTribals.”Kalkiwipedthebloodoverhisdhoti.“Theyareastrainedasus.”

“JustbecausetheyarecalledTribalsdoesn’tmakethemuncivilized.YouhavenotseentheworldasmuchasIhave.IhavetravelledallaroundandIcansayonething.Manavsarethemostruthlessandidiosyncraticwhenitcomestoconstructingnarrativesaboutandjustifyingtheirexistence.”

“Whattribeareyoufrom?”Kalkispat,surgingangerjustboilinginsidehim.Durukti pushedher tongue against one sideof hermouth. Shehad a playful

habitabouther,somethingthatdisturbedKalkifortheywereinthemidstofawar.“DoIlooklikeaTribal?”Duruktiasked,whilehercompanionremainedsilent.

“DoIlookfatlikeaYaksha,ordoIhaveblueeyeslikeNagas,ordoIhavedarkskinliketheRakshas?Please,tellme.”

She had none. In fact, shewas of fair complexion,with straight face and anangularframe.

“Youmightbeofsomeothertribe,onewedon’tknowabout.”Durukticontinuedtoholdhertongueinsidehermouth,thoughtfullymusingto

herself.“Theysaidmeandmybrother,wewereAsuras.”Thenamesentshiversdownhisspine.Weren’ttheyextinct?“Kali,”hemutteredtohimself“Whatisyourname?”“Kalki.”“Ah,destroyeroffilth,”shespoke.“Quiteironicforsomeonewhoisstanding

amidstfilth?”Shepaused.“AnditisLordKaliforyou.”“I don’t worship those whomake themselves lord in this world,” Kalki sat,

cross-legged, justmassaging his bloodyhand.Hehad an impassive face, his soulurginghimtojumpfromthiscageandescapetoShambala,andhelptheoneshewassupposedtohelp.

“EveryGodwasonceaman.”Duruktismiled.“Let’stakefromtheTrimurti—Vishnu,Brahma,Shiva.TheywereallPrajapatis; theseers, thebeginners, thefirst

men.Infact,theywereevenpresentwhentheAncientswerelivingamongus.Theyhaddifferentnames; in fact, allGodsweworshipnow; theyhaddifferentnamesthen.”

The Ancients…they were the civilization that lived before the Breaking, theplaguethatcaughtontopeoplelikeLordGovind.SomeofthemwereworshippedasGodsnow.

“We think theywereborn after theBreaking,butwe are living in adifferentreality altogether.” Durukti surprised Kalki, for he couldn’t believe how such ayounggirlcouldholdsomuchwisdom.“Theywerealltheresincethedawn.Andyoudon’tknowallofthisbecauseyouliveinasmallworldofyourownmaking.”

Kalkishrugged.“Idon’twanttoentertainyouwithaconversationanymore.IwillonlyspeaktoKingVedanta.”

Durukticlenchedherjawatthatname.“ThekinghasgivenmetherighttodowhateverIwishtodowiththevillagesthatsurroundhiscity.”

“Whatifhefindsoutwhatyouhavedoneisagainstthebasicrules?”“I’lljustsayyourebelled.Whatproofwouldhehavetocastigateme?”Durukti

laughedcheekilyattheend,almosttothepointofmockinghim.Kalkiremainedstiff.“Whatdoyouplantodowithme?”“Studyyou,mostprobably.Afinetoughmanlikeyoushouldn’tbewastedasa

casualtyofwar,butputonasanexhibitofentertainmentperhaps,”shechuckled.Kalkishookhishead.“Justkillmeandgetonwithit.It’llbeoverforyouand

me. I can’t standmutewhilemypeopledieby thehandsof yourmen,”he said,reachingfortherails,hiseyesslowlytearingup.“Alltheselives,theydependedonmeandIcan’tevendiebytheirside,likearealfriend.Icouldn’tfulfillmyduties.Itwasmewhodefiedyourpleatobreakdownthecaves.”

She looked athim for awhile.All themockinghatredhad just left fromherface.Shewasstandingthere,confusedperhaps,andalittlesad.Shecameforward,inchesawayfromtherailing.“Youshouldn’thave.”

“I’mtryingtoprotectthecityandyou.What’sinsidethecaves,theyshouldn’tbe touched. They are cursed. That wouldn’t be…that wouldn’t be right.” Hecouldn’tjustsaythattheSoma,ifexposed,couldmistakenlygetintothehandsofthenextAdharm,whocouldevidentlybeaTribal,sincetheyareabsoluteevil.Hewantedtostopit,aslongashecould,fortheDarkAgewoulddescendwhentheAdharmwouldrise.

“Iapologize.”Hervoicewasgenuine,hergaze loweringwithembarrassment.“Ididn’twanttohurtyoupeople.Ijust…Ijusthavetodothis,gettotherocks.IfIdon’t, therewillbegraveconsequences.”Shewashelpless, just likeKalki.“And

nothingcancomeinbetweenus.Ihadpromisedmyselfthat.”Kalkisighed.“Pleasedon’tkillthem,please.”That was when their talk was interrupted by Martanja, who entered after

watching the scene unfold from afar. He stood there, awkwardly, until Duruktisignalledhimtocomeforwardandspeak.

“Ihopethislittleurchinisnotdisrespectingyou,mylady,”Martanjasaid,whilehestayedfirmandsquareinfrontofDurukti.

Durukti glancedatKalki as if shehadknownhim for awhile. “No,he isn’t.He’sbeingdocileasofnow.”Shepaused,asKalkinoticedshewascontemplatingsomething.“Isthereanyothernews?”

“Yes,mylady.Wehavelocatedthecavesandthepathisfree.”No! That meant Lyla and Sagar were dead or injured, or at any rate beaten,

while the other volunteers had clearly failed to obstruct the path leading to thecaves.

“Mymenarestillsearchingforanyoneinthehomesofthevillagers,hopingtomakeabriefcheckbeforewemakewaytheresincewedon’twanttobeattackedfromthebackagain.”HeeyedKalkibalefully.

Kalki didn’t look down, but stared straight. He gritted his teeth. He had toescape,anyhow.

“Howmanyofthevillagershavebeenkilled?”“Plenty,mylady.”KalkicouldseeMartanjawasalmostgrinning,butstruggling

reallyhardnotto.“I want you to tell yourmen not to hurt anyone, anymore. You understand

me?”Martanjawaspuzzled,browsfurrowingdown,hisunseeingeyerapidlyblinking.

“Mylady,but…”“No!Nomore.Notevenanarmedone.Theywillbesubdued,butnotkilled,”

Duruktisternlyordered.Kalkiturnedovertothegirlwhohadbecomesuchanimportantpersoninthe

city that shewasnowbeing respectfully followedby theparamilitarychiefof theRakshas.Buthecouldn’tbelieveshehadagreedwithhim.Hehadpleadedandshehadlistened.Shehadaconscienceafterall,behindtheexteriorthatsheconcealedherselfwith.

“Allright,mylady,asyouplease.”Martanjagaveaslightbow.“Let’s go.”Durukti signalledher companionandwith that she left, following

Martanja.Kalkisawthemleaving,wheninstantlyDurukti’scompanionreturned.Shehad

eyesasbigasafish,hersevenfingersgrabbingontotherail,andafeverishsmiledancingonherlips.“Hetoldmeallaboutyou.Oh,youareagrandsight,afterall,WhiteHorse!”Hereyesweremanic.Atonemoment,shewasadocilemaidservanttoDurukti,andhereshewasactingalldifferent.

“Who?”“He will come, don’t worry. Oh, he will. You’ll meet him soon.”Her smile

widened.Kalkigrabbedontoherknuckles,hisbloodtaintingherhands.Shegaspedand

pulled back. “I want to know who it is. How do you know me? Who is thisperson?”

The girl giggled and her yellow teeth were visible now. “He’s the bearer oftruth.Hewill tellyoueverything,unlikeme.HethinksI’mnotready,buthealsothinksyouarenotready.Icanseehe’sright.Youaretooimmature,”shegiggledagain,hiccuppingslightly.ItwasawhirlwindofemotionsthatweresmackingKalkifromtheinside.

“SYMRIN!”thevoicefromtheothersidecame.“Ishouldleave,”thegirlcalledSymrinsaid,“hispawniscallingme.”Hispawn?Andwith that, she raced away.Kalki hated his cage evenmore now, for he

couldonlyseeonepartofthescenery,asthebackwasblockedbymultipleshieldsthatactedlikeacover.

KalkisawthereweretwoRakshasstandinginfrontofhim,afewyardsaway,talkingtoeachother.Theyhadbeentherebeforeaswell,andhehadbeeneyeingthem,foroneofthemheldakeydanglingfromtheirarms.

Ineedtogetthosedamnkeys.Buthow?And that was when his eyes fell on the gliding bird that circled on the top,

squawking. It was a parrot.Kalki’s lips spread in a smile at the thought of him,abouthowmuchhehadmissedhimandhowhehadjustvanishedearlier.Buthehadreturned.“Shuko,”hebreathed,relievedatlast.

Lakshmi had heard the wails first. Swivelling her head, she saw the prowlingRakshasbreaking through the tall grass, theirmouths curled in a grotesque snarl.LakshmihadmanagedtodrivemostofthevillagerstoIndravan,buttherewerestillafewhousesthathadnotbeenvacatedyet.Strugglingforsafety,shewatchedtheincomingarmycollidingwiththevolleyofarrowsthatstunghalfofthem,buttheystillmanagedtolurchintothehouses,damagingtheproperty.TheswordsmenwithLakshmiwhowerecarryinglighterweaponstriedtofendthemoff,buttonoavailastheRakshaswerequickontheirfeet,almostkillingandrippinghalfofthem.

Shedraggedherselftothehut,hidingbehindthestonewalls,peeringfromthebrokenwindow.Thatwaswhenshesawnoneotherthanthevolunteerswhowereupontrees.TheybegantothrowexplosivesattheRakshas.Someofthemburstintheirfaces,whilemostmissedtheirtarget.LakshmicouldseetheRakshaswerejustgrinning at the sight. They pounced and made their way up to the trees. ThevolunteersjumpedandtheRakshascaughtthembytheirclothesandpinnedthemagainstthetree,withaspearrammingthroughtheirchests.

Theyarethedevilincarnates.Inallofthis,Lakshmisawnoremorseofanykindontheirfaces.Itwastheend

ofShambalaandsheknewit.HowmuchshedespisedKalkinow,forbringingup

thedecisiontofight.Howfoolishhewas!Buthediditforareasonthatwasnoble.Anddyingnoblyisfargreateranachievementthanbeingacowardsurvivor.

Grabbing a splinter from a damaged tree, Lakshmi came out, her feet andfingersbecomingnumbwithcold.Sheknewitwouldkillher,butshehadtodoit.Theywould findhereventually,killingher inherhideout.ThesurvivingRakshaslookedather,gleefullygrinningatthefreshtargetsheofferedtothem.

Theybegantowalktowardsher,someofthemwipingthebloodofherfriendsfromtheirputridfacesandhands,againsttherestoftheirbody.

Lakshmiclaspedthesplinteredweapontightly,feelingitsunevenedgesdigintoherpalms.

“Comeyou,youall,”Lakshmibreathed.Itwasastupiddecision,andsheknewit,buttherewasnootherchoice.

TheotherRakshasremainedattheback,seeingtheopportunitytoseehowthisplayedout,whiletheonecameforwardwithhisblade.

“Abeautifulgirllikeyoushouldn’tbeinaplacelikethis,”thevoicewasthickwithlust,coarselyaccented.“Comewithusanddrinkandrejoice,huh?Wewon’tdoanythingtoyouthatyouwon’tenjoy.”

He came forward to grab her. Lakshmi turned a little bit and with a quickstroke, smashed the splinter against the Rakshas’ chest, creating a massive gash.Bloodgushedoutashefellforward,shockedbytheattack.TheotherRakshasjustwatchedher inconfusion.AuntRatrihadn’t just taughtherabout thebooks,butalso about the weaknesses in the human body, teaching her where the thinnestveinswere,andhowmuchimpactwasrequiredtoinjureinaspecificdegree.

TwomoreRakshascameforward,thistimecharging,withabsolutenoleniencyintheireyes.Insteadofasplinter,sheusedabolainonehandthistime.Asthetwocame forward, she leapt, rolling in the air almost. While they looked on inconfusion,shethrewthebolaatthemandjammedthesplinteredmakeshiftspearinto one’s foot. The other Rakshas brought out a blade, but Lakshmi did abackward somersault to dodge it. The other one stormed at her and as she wasabouttomove,whenfourhandsgrabbedherfromtheback.Shebegantostruggleandrealizedmorehadcomefrombehindher.

“Littlegirlwantstoplay.Let’sgiveittoherthen,”theygrinned.Shepushedandpulledherlegsandarms,wailingasshewasliftedabovetheir

heads. The Rakshas came forward and began to look at her with wide andappreciative eyes. “Interesting.”His thick, greasyhandsbegan to run slowlyoverherexposedwaist.

ThatwaswhenasharparrowwentthroughtheRakshas’head.Hiseyeswere

confusedatwhathadhappeneduntilhefellback.TheotherRakshaslookedaway,andsodidLakshmi,whenshesawRoshanMitraonthesamechariotthatLakshmiandKalkihadbroughtfromIndragarh.Hehadtwoarchersinthefront,shootinginquicksuccession.

TheRakshas leftLakshmias she fellon thesurface,herbackcracking,andasurgingpainrunningupherspine.Shecouldn’t feelorhearanythingforawhile,hereyesstaringattheskiesasshetookdeepbreathstocalmherpain.Shedivertedherattentiontoherleftside,whereRoshanMitrawasstandingwithhisarrows.Hemust have come down from thewoods of Shambala, ready to attack the savageTribals. She saw the Rakshas, who had tossed her on the floor, jumping on thechariotasRoshanwastryingtofendhimoff.Hefellback;thewheelsofthechariotbrokeandrolledovertoLakshmi.

Grabbing thewheelandpullingout thespokefromit,Lakshmimustered thespirit to stand up straight and use it to her advantage. The chariot had gone topieces now.ThreeRakshas lay on the ground, arrows stickingout of their faces.Oneof themhadkilledanarcherandwasnowtargetingRoshan,whohadfallenoverontheground.

Lakshmimadeway,herlegsrushingtowardstheRakshasasshepouncedintheair, everything going hazy in front of her, as her hands felt a strong recoilingpressure.Sheopenedhereyes and realized the rodwas inside theRakshas’head.Lakshmifellontheground,panting,astheRakshaslaydead.

RoshanscamperedovertoheranddecidedtocalmherdownasLakshmidry-heavedatthesightinfrontofthem.Lakshmicameonherfeet,struggling,butshecouldn’t hear anything. They had been defeated, but she could see the directedarmyofRakshaswasmovingtowardstheSomacaves.

The shattered chariot, the dead Rakshas and bodies of innumerable villagerscrowdedtheoncepiousgroundsofShambala.Everythingtrulyseemedovernow.

RoshanlimpedasLakshmisaid,“Weshouldgoandcheckmorehomes.”“WhatabouttheSomaCaves?”heasked.“Wecan’tgothereunlesswecheckthehomes.”“Theyarecoming.”RoshanpattedLakshmi’sheadwithasenseoffinality.Lakshmisawattheback.TherewasasurgingnumberofRakshasmakingway

forthehuts.Lakshmiwalkedwithherfriend,astheymadetheirwaydownwards,wherethegroundslopedandwherethereweremorehuts.

Lakshmi couldn’t believe there was somuch darkness around them. Roshanwentfor thenearesthutsohecouldresthis leg.Hidden in thehomeofanotherShambalafamily,theystayedandrested.Lakshmiresistedtheurgeforwaterasshe

begantounwrapRoshan’slegthathadahuge,swellingwound.“Ohno,ohdearno.”Roshanhadapeekandimmediatelytiltedhisheadback.

“Thiswassuicide,Iknewit.Thiswassuicide.Mymothertoldmeitwas…”Lakshmislappedhimhardontheface.“Justshutup!”Shecouldn’tbelieveshe

had it in her to just smack another boy, but she did it with ease. She was justfurious,sadandreelingfromtheeffectsofadrenalinecoursingthroughhersystem.Shetoreapieceofherdupattaandwrappedthewound.“Wecan’tlettheblood…”

Andthensheheardthewails.Theycamefrominsidethehut.Peeringfromthewindowagain like last time, shesawtheRakshasweremaking theirway in.Theywere just three in number. Three Rakshas were equivalent to ten villagers andLakshmiandRoshanwereclearly innostate to tackle them, injuredas theybothwere.Shehadnoweaponanymore,nordidRoshan.

“Waithere.”Lakshmi went scavenging in the unknown house, hoping to find something

inside.Shelookedinthelivingroom,checkedforthepotsandwasabletofindastillsimmeringhearth,andaknifefromthekitchen.

Thatwaswhensheheardathud.No.LakshmiwentfortheroomwhereRoshanwaswhensheheardthethudagain,

perhapscomingfromthedirectionofthekitchen.Shebentdownandpushedtherug away. She saw some grills over a big hole thatwent deep underground. Shepeered,removingthegrillsandsawinthedarkness,twoindividuals.

Theywerehiding.Shecouldn’tfigureoutwhoitwasdowntheresoshedecidedtointeractwith

them.“MynameisLakshmi.I’mfromShambala.Pleaserespond.”Noonedid.“Youdonotneedtobefrightened.Weneedtosticktogetherandleave.Ifyou

staydownthere,youmightpayaheavyprice.”Sheheardavoicejustthen.Itwasameeklittletone.“Hello?”“Shutup!”waswhatfollowedit.Thereweretwoofthem,Lakshmialreadyknew.“Youdon’tneed toworry,comeuphere.”She laidherhandout.“It’llbeall

right,Ipromise.”Shewaitedforawhile,andjustasshegaveup,anotherhandclungontoher.

Tightlygraspingit,shepulledthemoutoneaftertheother.Itwasamotherandadaughter,drenchedinmuddywater.Suchholeswerecommoninmosthouses,forpurposesofindoorsanitation.

“Whatisyourname?”Lakshmiaskedthefrightenedwoman.“Aarti,”thewomansaid,“andthisisPia.”“Hello,Pia,”Lakshmistruggledtosmileatthelittlegirlwhowasnomorethan

four years old, with gently curling hair over her forehead. “Why have you beenhidingouthere?”

Aarti lookedather indisbelief,unabletoperhapscomprehendthat therewasanothervillagerfromShambala,alive.

“Speakup,woman.”“I-I…Iwasafraid.”“Didn’tyougowithallofthemtoIndravan?”“Iwasuh…Iwastoldbymyhusbandtonotleavethehouse.”“Whereishenow?”Lakshmishookherhead.Hemusthavebeendeadaswell,

andshefeltabsolutelyridiculouswhensheaskedthisquestion.Hermind,despitebeingquickusually,wasn’tthinkingstraight.Shehadtostop,thinkalittleandthenact.Thewayshealwaysdidwitheveryaspectofherlife.

“I-Idon’tknow.Heneverreturned.”Seemsjustaswell.Lakshmi felthorrible for the lady.Shehadgone throughsomuch, stuck ina

holeforsolongwithherbabydaughter.“Iwantyoutotellmeifyouhaveanymedicinalherbsinthehut.”Thewomanlookedconfused,herbrowsfurrowed.“Formyfriend,he’soutside.”“Howmanyarethere?”Aartiasked,bewildered.“Howmanysurvivors?”Byjustthelooksofit,Lakshmicouldn’tgiveaproperanswertoit.Therewere

lessonthisside,perhapsmoretowardsthepaththatledtoIndravan.“Don’tworryaboutit.Juststaypositive.Wewillsurvive,I’msure.”“Aretheyoutthere?Icanhearthemsometimes.Theyhadheavyvoices…”she

trailedoff,mumbling,whilePiabegan tocry.Lakshmipatted thekid and sternlytoldthemother,“Youneedtostoptalkinglikethis.Itscaresthegirl.”

“Youhavenoideahowitfeelstobestuckthere.”Andshedidn’t.Sheagreed.Andshefelthorrible.Aarti showed her themedicinal leaves that she had been collecting and they

wereplentyinnumber,placedclosetothehearthshehadseenearlier.Shetooktheleafandsmelledit.ItwasthesamefragrancethatLakshmihadsmeltwhenshewascleaningoffKalki’swound.Lakshminaturallytrustedherowninstinctsaboutfirstaid,rarelytakinghelpoftheshaman.

“Arethereanyweaponsouthere?”Lakshmiasked.

“Weapons?Dearno,wearejustmerefisherpeople…”Therewasahugecommotionattheentranceofthehouse.Swivellingherhead,

Lakshmirealizedsomethingwasamiss.ShebegantoslowlymakewaytothepaththatledtothefrontwhenshesawtwoRakshasinside,checkingandscanningthehut.Hereyesslowly reachedRoshanMitrawhohadasmallaxeplunged intohishead,ashelifelesslylookedbackatLakshmi.

LakshmigaspedinhorrorassheexchangedaglancewithAarti.Iamsorry.Lakshmi’seyesstartedtearingup.“Godownagain,”Lakshmimouthedsilently.AartiandPiareacheddownagainandLakshmifounditridiculousandstupid

onherpart that shehadcalled themup in the firstplace.She thought shecouldescape the Rakshas, but she was an utter fool. As they began to move down,Lakshmihid theholewith the carpet, butperhaps the soundof theirmovementhadalertedtheRakshas,fortheychargedinsidetheroom.

LakshmiclosedhereyesandprayedtotheGoddess,andafteropeninghereyesand turning around, she saw the Rakshas held twin-sided blades. Theywere justwatching her, emotionless. Huffing and breathing heavily, they began to comeforward.Lakshmipurposelystoodoverthecarpetsotheywouldn’tnotice.Butthatonlyendedupmakingagratingnoise.

No.“Whatwasthat?”thegruffvoiceofoneoftheRakshasasked.Lakshmididn’trespond.“Wearetoldnottokillanyone,”saidoneRakshastoanother.“Wasn’t she theonewhosplicedour friend’sheadoff?” theothersaid.“The

verybeautyofdeathisthatnoknowswhensomeoneiskilled.”Lakshmiusedtheknifeshehadgotfromthekitchen.Swingingintheair, the

Rakshasdodgedinthenickoftime,grabbingherwristandtossedheragainstthewall.Dustsweptoverherasshefellonthefloor,retchingagainsttheground.TheRakshasbegantomovethecarpetandthenslowlyliftedtherailsthatguardedAartiandPia.Theylookeddown.

“Interesting,”theRakshascoughed.“Protectingsomeofyourfriends,perhaps,eh?”

Lakshmididn’tsayanything.TheotherRakshasgrabbedherandsmackedheragainstthewall,thistimehisthickarmsrestrainingLakshmi.Shetriedreallyhardtopushagainsthim.TheRakshas,closetothehole,pulledasmallcircularrockfromhisbelt.“Courtesyofyourfriends.”

ItwastheexplosiveKripahadbeenmaking.

TheRakshas tossed the explosive down. Lakshmi screamed so hard that herchest burnt, her mind reeling at his blatant show of heartless monstrosity. Itexplodedinsidetheholeandtheworstpartwasthatshedidn’tevenhearanything.Notevenacryoraprotest.

Pleaseno.Lakshmi had never felt so terrible in her life. She could feel her very bones

weakeningwithguilt.“Now,whatshouldwedowithyou?”“Havesomefunperhaps,”theothersaid.“Hmph,”thefirstonegrinned,“takeheroutside.”Lakshmi felther feetbeingdragged,unable tounderstandwhatwasgoing to

happennext.

Kalkihadbeenwaiting forShuko todo something,butnevertheless,hewas justflutteringandhoveringovertheRakshasguards.ButhewasquickenoughtomisstheirgazeandKalkicouldn’thelpbutsmile.

Dosomething.Comeon.ThatwaswhenhesawShukoreachtherailingandsquawkingatthecell.The

guardssawthatandinstantlytriedtocatchhimbytheleg.Successfulindoingso,Shukotriedtogetaway,buthecouldn’t.Kalki,outofbreathwithfear,rantedandretaliated,yellingabusestodistracttheguard.

“Youfilthy,dirtyanimal!Acowdungcakesmellsbetterthanyou!”TheRakshaswhoheldShukobythelegslookedattheotheroneindisbelief.In

fact,Kalki couldn’t believe he had said it himself. At thatmoment, the RakshasjerkedhishandinvoluntarilyafterShukoexcretedonhim,lettingShukoflyaway.

“Whydidyouleavehim?”snarledtheotherRakshas.“Heshatonmyhand.”TheRakshaswipeditagainsthislowerbody.“God,a

parrot’sshit.Alreadymydayisbadanditjustgot…”“Worse?”Kalkisuggested.“Yeah,yeah,”theRakshassaid.The first one thumped him again. “You don’t agree with the prisoner. The

Chiefsaid,notalking.”“I’mnottalking.I’mjustagreeing.”“That’sstillvocal.Ihavetoreportittothechief.”Kalki cleared his throat, interrupting them. “You don’t have to be such a

tattletale,youknow.”“Exactly,” the second one said. “He’s always like that. I can’t even do one

simple,straightthing,withoutthethreatofbeingreported.”Kalki found it humorous to distract them, his eyeswandering close the keys

that dangled from theRakshas’ belt.Hehad to let Shuko get them.Hewhistledsoftly,lettingShukohearthesoundofhiswhistle,givinghimdirections.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Kalkistopped.“What?”“Whatwasthatsound?”thesecondone,thestricteroneasked.Thefirstoneshrugged.“Canyoustopbeinglikethis?”“Yes,canyou?”Kalkijoinedforcesagainstthestrictguard.“Hewassignallingsomeone,”thesecondonesnarled.“Who is signalling?” the first one looked around, “no one is here. We are

packedwithourownmen.So stopworrying, you!”Heslapped the secondone’schest.

“Youknowithurts.”Thesecondonebegantomassagehischest.“Andtobefairyouweretalkingtotheprisoneraswell,I’llreportyoutoo.”“Youcan’treportmejustbecauseIinquired.”“Butisn’tinquirytalking?”“It’suh…”thesecondonecontemplatedthesituation,frantically,helookedup

attheprisoner.“Youtellus?Wasmyinquiryinrelationtotalkingtoyou?”Kalkishrugged.“Sinceyourinquiryhadavocalelement,sure.Youweretalking

tome.”“Hah!”thefirstonegleamedwithpride.“Gotyou,youtattletale!”Thesecondonefrowned.All of this seemed inconsequential, and asofnowhis eyeswere still directed

towardsthekey.AlittlecloserandKalkicouldgetthekeyhimself.Ashetriedtonot interject between the two Rakshas, Shuko glided down, and with his smallclaws,scratchedthefirstRakshas.TheRakshasswungatthebird,butmissedit.

“Whatiswrongwiththebirdshere?”hesaid,groaning,wipingthebloodoffofhim.

“Theyhateyou,”thesecondonegrinned,finallyabletoridiculehispartner.Thefirstonejustmanagedtofrownandwipedhisface.

Kalkiwhistledsoftlyagain.Shukocameforwardandscratchedthesecondone’sface,beforeflyingbackup.

“I’llshoottheparrot!”thesecondonemoaned.“Letmegetmybow.”Kalki could see Shuko slowly pull at the keys now. That was when, out of

nowhere,ahugemanappearedwithamaceinhishand.Bala!Thenfromtheotherside,KripaandArjancame.ThetwoRakshaslookedatthem,astonished.

“INTRUDERS!”Thefirstoneyelled.Beforehecouldyellagainthough,Balagrabbedhimandtwistedhisneckwhile

Arjanshotanarrowrightagainstthesecondone’schest,whotrippedandfellclosetothecage.

“Thank the heavens you are here.” Kalki breathed a sigh of relief, wheninstantlyhesawRakshaswerebeginningtocrowdthem.Therewerealmostfiveofthemwithlongspears.

BalaandArjancan’tdie.He saw them prepare as Kripa used his sword, dodging and fencing against

attacks.KripahadasenseofMachiavellianwithinhim,eventhoughhemostlytriedtoportrayhimself asdrunk.Hewasquitehandywith the sword, just rolling andmoving itwith ease and then somersaulting over the ground and cutting off theRakshas’limbs.

Bala was, on the other hand, more rugged. While he was unable to defeatKumbh,herehefoughtagainsttheotherRakshasas if theywerefiguresmadeofwood. In quick succession, he choked one while smashing his mace against theotherone.Whena javelinstabbedhimintheback,heyelled inagony,pulledoutthejavelinandthrustitagainsttheRakshas’eyes.

Arjanwasleastprepared,probablyjusttryingtostoptheattacks.Evenintryingtodeflecttheattack,hewasrepeatedlyfacingthebruntoftheRakshas’wrath.

ThenumberoftheRakshasattackingthemincreasedandKalkiknewhehadtosave his friends. He began to inch his hands towards the body of the Rakshas,tryingtograbthebeltoftheRakshasandpropellinghimovertothecage.Butthekeyswerejustoutofhisreach.Thatwaswhenapairoffeettrampledoverthekeys.KalkilookedupandsawitwasanotherRakshas.HesteppedonKalki’shand,butKalkigrabbedhimbytheankle,hisfingerssinkingintotheskinuntiltheRakshasbegantocryinpain.BloodflowedoverhisfingersandtheRakshasshookinagony.Shuko began to peck the Rakshas until he collapsed, which was when Kripaplungedtheswordintohishead.

Kripa winked at Kalki and, for a man his age, he was quite adroit with hisreflexes.Shukoreacheddown,squawking,ashebegantoreachthekeysandgive

themtoKalki.Kalkiquicklypattedhimandmadehiswaytowardsthelock,whichheunlocked.

Helethimselfout,thebirdslowlyrisingandsittingoverhisshoulderasheleftthe cage behind. He was out there finally. It seemed that nature too wascongratulatinghimformakinganescape,withthesunpeekingoutfromthecloudcoverandthewindsthathadslowlypickeduppace.KalkiwentforArjan,whowasdodging the blade attacks. As another blade was plunged by the Rakshas, but itstopped, for Kalki jumped on the Rakshas’ back. The Rakshas looked back,confused.KalkiforcedtheRakshastoletgoofhisbladeandwithaquickpunch,heknockedhimout.

He picked up his brother and they embraced, Arjan’s short hands roundingaroundhim.“Imissedyou.”

“Iamsorry.”Kalkinodded.Itwas impossible to kill somanyRakshas, but theyhad to at least try.Kalki

used his blade, swinging it inefficiently, a little lopsided, until it fell off fromhishandandhitaRakshas,cuttingoffhistoe.Growlingwithhurt,heracedtowardsKalki,whojustdodged.HewasnowchargingtowardsArjan,whoshotanarrowathim.ARakshasgrabbedKalki fromtheback, throwinghimtotheground.Kalkicametohissenses,hisstomachlurchingwithpain,ashisspinebegantounbearablyhurt.Twobighandsgrabbedhimagain,butKalkikickedhiminthestomach.TheRakshasmovedbackandKalkiscamperedforaweaponuntilhefoundajavelinontheground.HegrabbedforitandswungitagainstthechargingRakshas,lettingitgodeepinsidehisneck.

Balawasable tomusterhis spirit andwithhisonehandholding theRakshasandtheotherholdinghismace,hebegantorepeatedlybashitagainsttheRakshas’skulluntilitwasbroken.Arjanwasoutofarrows,buthehadfoundanaxewhichheclumsilytriedtowield,beforebeinggrabbedbyaRakshas.

Kalkiwent,seekingtoprotecthisbrother,andgrabbedtheRakshasfromthewaist.Withallofhisenergy,hepickedupthetribalandflippedhimattheback,theimpactkillingtheRakshasinstantly.KripawasabletofighttwoRakshasatatimewhen both of them attacked him, thoughwithKripa’s skilfulmanipulation, theyendedupstabbingeachother.

Kalki stood up, knees hurting. He felt he was pushing himself too much,pantingwhilehe triedto takesomerest.Buthedidn’thavetoworryabout themsince Kripa made sure the Rakshas met their deaths. He stabbed them straightinsidetheirskulls,unerringeverytime.

Arjan was wounded. Kalki couldn’t believe that a boy like Arjan was in the

midstofadeadlywarlikethis,butregardlessofhisinitialmisgivings,hehaddoneafinejob.Hewasabletodowhatotherwarriorsstrivetodothemost.

Survive.KalkireachedouttoBalaandembracedhisfriendastightlyaspossible.Asthey

pulledapart,Bala,whohadwoundsdeeperthananyoneofthemandwasyetactingas if nothing had gone wrong with him, said, “I’m sorry. I was overconfident,brother.”

“No,it’sallright.Wewerebothwrong.”“Howdidyoudoit?”Balaasked.Kalkipursedhislips.Itwasastorytotellforanothertime.Hewasgladwhen

Kripacameinbetweenthem,withaswordinhishand,“Ihaven’tpickedthisoneupforawhile,mate.Feelsoddnow.Iknewafamilywhohadall theseswords.Ibelongedtothatfamily,partially,youcansay.”

“Whatshouldwedonow?”Arjancameforward,andtheyhadformedaclosecircle.

“Wecan’tstayherefor longasthey’llreturn.Perhapstheyallwenttoseethecaves,”Kripaexplained.

“I have to leave.”Kalki instantly realized he had a duty he had to perform.Protectthevillagersatanycost.

Lakshmi.Ihopeshe’salive.KalkimadehiswaytowardsthenearesthorsewithShukoonhisshoulders.He

grabbedontothereinsandstartedtomaketheanimalwearasaddlewhenKripaclearedhisthroat.

“Wellweallarehappyyouwanttogoandprotectthisvillage,butweneedtoleave.”

Kalkiturned,confused.“Leavewhere?”HelookedatBalaandArjan,whowerenowstaringdowninembarrassment.

“Youknowwhere.”“Ican’tgonow,”Kalkiclenchedhisteeth.“Soyoumeanwecameherefornothing?”Kripagrunted.“Youhavetoleave.

Youdon’tunderstand…”Kalkiswepthishandup.“Idon’tcare.Idon’tcarewhatIunderstandandwhat

I don’t understand.” He went over and grabbed for the saddle, and sat down,tightlyclutchingontothereinsofthehorse.“ButIknowyoudon’tunderstandonething.Thosearereal,humanlivesoutthereandyousaidIamthesaviourofthisage.Well, if Ican’tevensavemyvillage,howwill I savemyentirecountry?”HelookedatthesheepishfiguresofArjanandBala.“I’llreturn.Youleaveandhidein

thewoods.”“Wecan’tjusthide,”Arjanblurted.Kalki turned thehorse.Heknew theywere right.“All right,go for Indravan.

Stopthemfromactingontheirplan.”“Whereareyougoing?”“I’mgoingtoscout thevillageandmeetyouthere.”Andcheck ifLakshmi is

stillthereornot.Kripacameforwardandcalmedthehorse.HelookedcloselyatKalkiandhis

voicehadgrownbleaklyquiet,“Youcan’tstoptheAdharmfromrising.Ihadtriedthatwhen I closed the caves and lookwhere it gotme.You stillmanaged tobeborn.Andhewillalsobe…”

Kalkididn’t listen.Hecouldn’tcarelesswhatKripahadtosay.Hepulledthereinsandthehorsestartedtomove,with thewingwhippingagainsthis face.Hisbodycrouchedforward,hiseyesclosinginonhisdestination.

Hewascoming.

Duruktiwasonherhorse,slowlystridingbehindanarmyofRakshas,somewereon footwhileotherswereon theirhorses.ChiefMartanja rodenext toher,onablackstallion.Symrin,ontheotherhand,hadaweakhorseforherself,butitwasallrightforhersize.Shewasactingdifferent,happierthanusual.

“IsShambalaasighttobegladabout?”Duruktiinquiredinaleadingway.Symrininstantlywipedthefoolishgrinshehadonherself.“No,mylady.Not

particularly.”“No?”Duruktiwassurprised.Shemusthavebeenlying,forShambalawasthe

mostbeautifulsightonecouldsee.Duruktihadtravelledalot,butshehadn’tseenanything like this place. The lakeswere pure, and crystal-clear, while the flowerswere blooming; a sight to behold even though theywere sprayed by blood. Theforest’s greenery was so pure and lush, that it felt unreal. In contrast to all thebeautywas the reality ofwhat hadhappenedon the ground, for itwas scatteredwithbodies.Somehadalreadybegun to rot,whileotherswere still twitching.Allthis destruction and loss of lives, despite Durukti’s strict instructions to thecontrary.

ShehadreachedclosetotheSomaCaves,alsoknownasIndravan.Duruktihadreadaboutthe“God”Indra.Manytitlessuggestedhewasn’taGodtobefearedor

adored, but a madman who took revenge on Illavarti for being chosen by theDanavs, his counterparts.Theywere twowarring brother clans, as she had read.OnewastheDanavs,theliteralgiants.Theywereextinct,oratanyrateinhiding,sincetheyhadn’tbeenseeninrecenttimes.Theywererumouredtobeninefeetinheight and having hands bigger than an average door. And their counterpartcousinswere theSuras, suchas the likesof Indra.TheSuras realized theDanavswere worthless, ugly hybrids, causing them ill-reputation. Indra and his brothershad killedmost of their cousins, while others were put to eternal sleep throughvariousherbs.Buteternalsleep,Duruktiknew,meantbeing‘poisoned’.

Thosewerestories.Mythologywasfunny.Manyquarreledoverit,ofwhatwasrightorwrong,eventhoughtheyknewtherewasnocorrectanswer.Whohasseenhistoryplayoutafterall,withoutalsoseeingitbeingtwistedtosuittheneedsofthevictors?

Theorchidslayflat,stretchingacrossthehorizonwherethesettingsuncastitsglow.Naturewasherpassion; it had alwaysbeen.Perhaps it hadbeen cultivatedand slowly grown over a period of time, as she had seen the entire Illavarti andknown what this country was capable of, even though the Breaking had causedmostofthiscapabilitytonowbecomedormant.Theacridsmelloffireandbloodwasreplacedbythefreshbreeze,fragrancedbythecitrusysmellofthefruitsandflowers. Itmade her smile and brightened hermood a little. She could hear thewhistlingandchirpingofthebirdswhichwasthenfollowedbythewailsandyells.She didn’t realise she had closed her eyes and when she opened them, she wasunabletocomprehendthescenearoundher.AhugegroupofpeoplewerestandinginfrontoftheSomaCaves.

Atbest,thecaveswerethemostunimpressivepartofthisvillage’stopography.And like anyvillagewhichbelieved in themythsof theseGods, theyhadbuilt atemplearoundit,withlittleinscriptionsandidols,designedtoworshiptheVajraofLord Indra.Themassofpeoplewerecornered,near the rocky,unevenpath thatledtothecaves.Theyhadoccupiedthatspace,almosthuggingitoutoffear.

Shegotoffherhorse and sodidMartanja, as shemadeherway towards theentranceofthepath.Shecalmlysawallofthem.Theywereblockingit.Itwouldbethepeasant’splanafter all, sincehewas their so-called leader.Thepeasanthadadifferentlookabouthim.Hewasn’tausualboy.Hehadadifferentaurawhichshewasn’tabletoexplain.Itwasperhapsthathewasextremelyhandsome,withexoticeyes,longwavyhair,andanangularjaw.Hehadanunevennose,though.Butallofitdidn’tmattersinceheexhibitedaradianceshehadseeninonlyoneotherperson—Kali.WhileDuruktihadseenKalimakethatradiancecometolife,thisboyhad

beenbornwiththeradiance.Also,itwasperhapsthewayhetalked,asifhereallycared. Durukti had seen a lot of men and women who showed as if the worldmatteredtothem,butbehindthecurtains,theywouldtwistandmanipulateeverysituationtotheirbenefit.Thisboywasn’tlikethat.Hehadagenuineheart,pouringloveoutinhisstatements.Hewasnice.Andinaworldlikethis,itwasdifficulttofindsomeonelikehim.Thus,shehadagreedtonothurtanyone.Itwasn’tjustherguilt, but also his passion that had guided her decision. All of it flustered her,reddening her cheeks for she never believed she would be thinking andmusingaboutaboy.Sheshookherhead,asshewatchedthevillagersstandinginfrontofher.

All thepanicky, afflicted facesof thevillagerscreatedahole insideherchest.Shecouldn’tbelieveshehadhurt themall.Shehadeven trampledover thehugemassoftheso-calledarmy,whowerecomingintheway,ledbyaheadstrongboy.Shewasn’ttheretoclearlywitnessthewinfromherside,butitwasbloody.Butshedidn’twantmoreofit.Shewasexhaustedandalotofdeathswereonherhead.Shewanted to letgoand justgetwhatshewanted.Duruktiwalked in front,withherpalmsclaspingeachother.Symrinwasbehindher,withMartanja.

From the audience, appeared an oldman,with little hair, awrinkly face andeyesthatheldgreatwisdom.

“Havetheyalldied?”Hehadastraightface,butevenDurukticouldseehewasconcealinghisanguish.

Durukticontortedherfaceinapology.“Iapologize.”“Areyouheretokillusaswell?”themanasked.“Whatisyourname?”“Devadatta,”hebreathedoutquietly.“God-given,”sherespondedwithagentlesmile.“I’manythingbutthat.Ibroughtmiserytothisvillage.”Durukti looked at the sad, oldman, but she just nodded. “You should have

agreed. Standing by your religious traditions is important, but not at the cost ofinnocentlives.”

“Youhaven’tansweredme.Willyoukillusall?”Hehadkneltdownnow,hisweaklegsfoldedingenuflection.

“No,Iwon’t,”shesaidstraightforwardly,“Idon’twanttomakemoreenemies.Also,IhavepromisedsomeoneIwouldn’thurtanymoreofhisfriends.”

Perhaps,itwastheglintintheoldman’seyes,buthenoddedasifheknewwhoDuruktiwastalkingabout.“It’sfunnyhowyousaysomeonestoppedyou.”TheoldmanhadhisfacedownandDuruktiwasunabletoseehimproperly.“Becauseifit’s

thesamepersonI thinkyoumean, thenhewas theonewho toldme toshoveadaggerinsideyournavel.”

And then he pounced. For an oldman, hewas swift, almost pulling out thebladeoutofnowhere.Everyonewasalarmed,butDurukti,anticipating it,quicklydodged.Shegrabbedthedagger’shilt,herhandscuppingtheoldman’shandsandwithasuddenjerk,shetwisteditbackinsidetheoldman.Hehadstabbedhimself,ashestaggeredbackinhorror.

Duruktihadlearntenoughself-defensetricks.Surpriseattacksweren’treallyhercombat style, as she liked slow agonising deaths, but Durukti was still skilledenoughtoknowhowtotwist theattack intotheoffense.Devadattacollapsedonthefloor,handsclutchedoverthedagger,hiskurtapoolingwithhisownblood.

Duruktihadpromisedshewouldn’tkillanyoneelse.Butitwasself-defense,soshe didn’t go back on her word technically. She came forward, this time, withmerciless,blazingeyes,archedbrowsandathinmouth,grimwithanger.SheplacedherfeetoverthedaggerwhichinstantlysunkdeeperinsideDevadatta’sflesh.Withonefootupandanotheronthedustyground,shelookedateveryone.

“Iwould request you to not temptme anymore. Iwould request you all,” itcame off as a strict order, her sleek, luscious voice booming with authority, “toleavethisplace.Thechiefwillshowyouwheretostaytogetheruntilwearedone.Butwearegoingtoopenthosecavestoday.Andnoone,Idareyou,nooneshouldtrytostopmeagain.”

Kalkihadcheckedeverywhere.Thevillagewasshattered,thehutsweredestroyed,andmostwereransacked.EventhoughDuruktiwantednomoredestruction, theRakshashad sought for it.They showed they listened,butdid they really? ItwasalmostsadasKalkisawhisfriends,hismother’sfriends,sprawledacrossthefieldwhereoncegreeneryusedtoblossom.Hewatchedthedilapidatedchariotwhichhehadbroughtfromthecity.Itwasinpartialruins,thewheelsmissing.Inthewest,hesawLyla’sdeadbody,surroundedbyaretinueofotherbodies.Anditwasover.Allthegrandplanshehadmadehadcometonothingbutfutility.Hehadlostsomuchandithaddeepenedhissensesandcausedhimtogointoavoidofguilt.

Kalkibegantotrudgedownwardswiththehorse.Hewasn’tatrainedhorsemansoittookhimtimetoevengodowntheslope,wherethereweremorehuts.Withadeep sigh, hewent down, staggering, until he saw the isolatedhuts,where a fewmorebodieswerelyingsprawled.Thesoundofthebirdswasnowreplacedbytheangryaudiblegrunts.

Heknewwherethesoundswerecomingfrom,butwhowerethey?He stoppedhishorse andgotoff.With abattle axeonhis side,hebegan to

move, crouching slightly until he saw that in the midst of the huts, there wasRoshanMitra.HiseyeslifelesslywatchingKalkinow,ashehadbeenpulledoutto

thehut’sentrance,withamessagewritteninblood,intheRakshasilanguage.Whatkindofcreatureswoulddosuchathingtoanyone?“LAKSHMI!”he yelled, hoping tohear her reply.Hewasn’t afraid anymore,

sinceitwasnousebeingafraid.Evenifhewoulddie,it’dnotmatter.Hefeltdeadfrominside.Heyelledagain.Therewasafeelinginhischestthatmadehimrealiseshemusthaveleftforthecaves.Butdiditmakeanysense?Hewondered.Shewassupposedtobehereandforallheknew,shewouldstay,evenifitmeantsacrificingherownlife.

No.KalkiyelledLakshmi’snameagain.Butthistime,heheardsomething.“KALK…”andhervoicetrailedoff.Kalki began to instantly run towards the direction of the sound, his fingers

sweatingaroundtheaxe.Nomatterwhatperilshewasin,he’dmakesureshewassafe.Kalkicameforwardandfinallywitnessedthesight.TherewerethreeRakshasaround her and she was being dragged on the ground by them. She was beingpulledbyherlonghair.Onehadforciblyheldherlegstogether.

TheRakshassaweachotherandthenlookedatKalki,dumbfounded.Blazingwithwrath,Kalkicameforward,his steps trampling theground,mud

spilling around him, and his mouth tasting dry. His feet picked up speed. TheRakshas armed themselves, afraid, for they never thought they would witnesssomeonelikethis.Intheshadowsofthesun,Kalki’sskinwasglimmeringdarkly.Hiseyeswereofdifferentcolours.TheRakshascameforward,oneofthemwithaspear.HethrewthejavelinacrossatKalki.

ButKalki’shandcamebefore it,deflecting it.HeturnedtowardstheRakshasandplunged it inside theRakshas.With theRakshason theother end,hepulledhimup,impalinghim.Hepushedthespearintotheground.TheothertwoRakshasjustwatchedthesight.

ButKalkididn’thavetodoanythingbecauseLakshmiimmediatelycametoherfeet, andknocked theRakshaswith a rock.Kalki flung an axe toher,which shecaughtbythehandle.Withtheaxeinherhands,LakshmirippedapartaRakshas’throatanditwasafilthysightforhim,asthebloodbegantospillovertheRakshas’darkchest.Hefelldown,lifeless.

KalkiwatchedLakshmi.Theysharedamomentofquietness.Atleast,hecouldsave someone.He reachedout toher,biddinghis feet tomove faster so thathecouldfinallyembraceher.

Buthewastooslow.

Hiseyesdartedover to theshadowthatcrossedLakshmi.Itwas theRakshasshehadhitwiththerock.HehadaspearinhishandandheplungeditdeepinsideLakshmi’schest.Withawaveringsmile, shesankon theground,herhead fallingflatonthegroundsofthevillageshehadalove-haterelationshipwith.

He couldn’t even breathe for a moment witnessing what just happened.Everythingspiralledaroundhim,butheknewhestillhadtosaveher.Hedidn’tuseany weapon, instead, he pounced at the murderous Rakshas, tossing him over,makinghimfallandbeatinghimuntiltheRakshasspilleditsfilthybloodout.TheRakshasdidn’tgooutwithoutastruggle.Withstrongarms,hepushedhimback.Kalkifeltanimpact,buthetriedhisbesttostandup.HestormedattheRakshasandknockedhimat theback.TheRakshasfellagain,butheusedhisstrength toturnhimover.

“Youcan’tgetme,”theRakshassnarled.Kalki tried tobreak the lockasmuchashecould,but theRakshas, twicehis

size, was stronger.He grabbed for themud that surrounded them and tossed itoverattheRakshas’face.ThatledtotheRakshasyellinginagony,forthedirthadenteredhiseyes.Kalkiusedforceandkickedhimhard,continuously.HeplungedtheaxethathadfallenawayfromLakshmi’shandinsidetheRakshas’skull.Bloodsprayeditoverhisfaceandhewipedit.Hehadkilledit,butno…

He began to scamper over Lakshmi. The first thing he didwas pull out thespear.Allthemomentsthathehadspentwithher,rightfromthechildhoodtothetimeswhenhehadsavedhersomany times,hestartedseeing inflashes.Hewasextremelyhappy theday shehadcomeback, the timeheprotectedher from thecrocodile,thetimeshewenttoIndragarhandgothimselfintotroubleandthetimehewasabout tokissherbutwas interruptedbyShuko.Andyet at thismoment,therewasnoonetodisturbthem,whentheymostneededthemedicalsupplies.

Therewasnoone.Lakshmi was still in her senses. Her eyes were getting glassy, but were still

conscious.Kalkigrabbedherbythechest,hisarmscurvingoverherback.Shewashurtandwoundedandshewascoughingupblood.

No.Thiscan’tbehappening.“It’sallright,allright,fine,wehavegonethroughworse,andwewilldoit,all

right?”Hewasrepeatingwordsfrantically.“Allright,noplease,don’tdieonme.”Hehuggedher,kissedherontheheadandtriedtoholdhertight.

“I’m s-sorry…” she breathed. “I’ve let people down,” her voicewas comingweakly.“Ishouldhavemademoreeffortintryingtofindwhyyouarethew-w-wayyouare.”

“Iknowaboutitnow.Iwasmeaningtotellyou,Lakshmi.”Hewastearingup,hotburningrivuletscoursingdownhischeeks.“Iamsupposedtobesomekindofasaviour.”

“Saviour?”Asoftsmiledancingonherlips.“You?”Hechuckled.“Iknow,right?”“Idon’tthinktheygotthatright.”“Iknow.”Kalkiclenchedhisjaw,hissmiledisappearing.“Let’sgo.”“No, please.” She stopped him, her pale hands lightly touching his chest,

“Don’tdoittoyourself.Iam…uh…”shemoaned,“I’malittlebeyondthesavingstage.”

Kalkicontortedhisface,hiseyesstrugglinghardnottotearup.“Butdon’tletthismakeyouthinkthatyouaren’tfittobethepeople’ssaviour,”

shesaid,“becauseI’vereadsomewhere.”“Fromallthestupidbooks?”hestruggledwithasmile.“Yes, fromall thestupidbooks,” shesmiled,“andIhadread thatheroesare

bornoutoftragedies.”“Idon’twanttobeaheroifIhavetogothroughthistragedy.Ijustwanttobe

aboywholovesagirl,”heclutchedherhard,“aboyfromShambalawithnocareintheworld.Ijustwantedtogrowuplikethat.”

Slowlyher hand reachedhis cheek. “Kalki,weboth know that isn’t going tohappenanymore.”

Kalki nodded. But he couldn’t believe he had lost everything with his onedecision. At thismoment, he regretted everything about his life. In fact, he wasangryathimselfforbeingtheAvatar.

“Kissme,”shesaid,“withnodisturbancethistime.”Shesmiled.Kalkinodded.Andhedid.Hekissedherassoftlyashecould,theirtearsslowly

minglingwith each other. Thatwaswhen he realized her lips had gone still andcold.Andashelookeddown,shesawhereyeswereclosed.

Shewasgone.Kalki’s chestheaved.Andhe yelled, letting all the jackals and the sheephear

him. He yelled so loud that even the birds left their nests. And he yelled loudenoughtolethisenemiesknowthathewascomingforthem.

DuruktihadshiftedallthevillagerstoonesideandaftertheDevadattaincident,nooneevendaredtocomeinbetweenherandherobjective.Theywereallmadetositdown,withRakshaswalkingaroundthem,pokingthemwithspearsifanyoneevenfidgeted.

Shewassoclosetohercure,orwhatevertherewasbeyondtheboulders.ShesawMartanjahaddughooks insidetherocks.Fivehorseshadharnesseswrappedaroundthem,onwhichRakshassat.Theybegantopull intheoppositedirection.Witheachpull,thebouldermovedalittle,butitwasstillstuckaroundtheedgesofthecave.

Martanja sprinted over toDurukti,who stood at the pathway that led to thecaves.Hewentpasttheguardsandpantedforawhilebeforehebegan,“Mylady,theboulderseemstobestuck;Ithinkweneedtousemorelabour.”

“Useyourmen.”“More,mylady.”Durukticlenchedherteeth.“Isitpossibletoarrangeformoremen?”“Ifwetry,wecanseeit’spossible.”Quiteacleveranswer!Duruktigrinnedat thatas shemovedaway fromherguardsandwatched the

villagers,whimperinginthefields,holdingontoeachother.Forthem,shewouldbethe epitome of evil, but she had reasons that they wouldn’t understand. All theGods they loved and pleaded to, and yet they didn’t know that theManavs hadbeenalienatedaftertheBreaking.

“Usethenatives,”answeredDurukti.“Tellthemtowork.”“Allright,mylady,”Martanjablinked.Heleftandorderedhismenaroundthevillagers,whileDuruktithoughtfora

moment.Shehadn’tdisclosedtoMartanjawhatwasinthereandshehadgivenhimextramoney just for not asking questions. But hewas aman, that too from theRakshasitribe.Hewasintelligent;heknewtherewassomethingvaluableinsideit.

Itwasn’tjustthegoldandcopperthatdrovehimtopulltheboulderout,butitwas also inquisitiveness. Martanja was a clever chief, who showed he respectedDuruktibuthesurelyhadulteriormotives.Butasofnow,shehadtostopsecondguessingandstartworrying if thecaves reallyheldwhat it said theydid.Shewasafraid, of course. She had made people lose their sons and daughters, theirhusbands andwives, for her goal. And if her goal was just a waste of time, shewouldhateherselfforever.Butmoreso,shewouldneverforgiveSymrinwhohadstartedallofthis.Ifitwasn’tforher,shewouldn’thaveeverthoughtaboutSoma.

Thevillagersbegantoworkandtheystartedusingsicklesandknivestocuttheovergrowth around the edges.Theones that resisted, theRakshas subdued themwith ropes. Little by little, the boulder started to move from its position. Thevillagerskeptdiggingatthecrevices.

Itwasapainfulsightforher,butshewassoclosetowhatshehadwanted.“DURUKTI!”Avoicecame,startlingher,freezinghertothebones.Swivellingherheadfrantically,shelookedwherethevoicehadcomefrom.And

shesawit.StandingacrossherguardswasKalki,withablooddrencheddhoti,anaxeinhishand,hischestcakedindustandblood.

Hebegantorun.Theharnessstopped.Martanjainstantlyyelledtohisguardstochaseandstophim.TheguardsthatsurroundedDuruktiwentforth,almosttwentyinnumber, as theygrabbedontohim.Kalkiwas able to staveoffmostof them,blindly kickingout andpunching them,hitting someof themgrievouslywithhisaxe.Hispresenceheremeantthatall theguardsneartheclearinghadsurelybeendecimated.

Howdidheescape?“YOUKILLEDEVERYONE!”Heyelled,hisbodyheldbackbytheRakshas.“IWILLKILLYOUNOW,”hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Men,”Martanjaannounced.“Killthepeasant!”

ARakshas came forwardwith a blade in his hand, ready to slice offKalki’shead.

Durukti knew the end of hermiserywas near. Symrinwhispered in her earsbefore the attack could happen. “My lady, you shouldn’t hurt an already hurtperson.Ifyoumustremember,heisspecial,right?Don’tyouthinkwhenhisangerlessens, he can be used to your advantage against the Tribals who are secretlyplottingagainstLordKaliandyou?”

Duruktiarchedherbrows.“Stop!” Durukti yelled. But not just because of what Symrin said, but also

becauseshedidn’twanttoupsetthevillagersanyfurther.ThoughSymrinwasright.Kalkihadpowerslikethatofthefabledheroesshehadreadaboutwhenshewassmall.

Martanja strolled towardsher, interjectingher.“Iapologize,my lady,but thatmaniswreakinghavoconourmen.Weshouldmakeanexampleoutofhim.Heevenmanagedtoescape;Iwonderwhathedidbackatthecamp.”

“Hedeservespunishment in thecity,nothere,”she lookedathim,“hekilledyourmen,right?Accordingtothebylaws,hehastobejudgedinfrontoftheTribalLordsandLordKali,beforebeingpunishedbydeath.”

IfKalkiwouldn’t turnonherside laterafterdeliberatepersuasion,shewouldsimplyhandhimofftoherbrothertodealwith.Shedidn’twantaheadache.

“Ithought,”coughedMartanja,comingforwardslyly,“youwantedallofthistobediscreet.”

Duruktinodded.“It’llbe.Foralltheywillknow,thiswasacompulsoryacttosubduetherebellionthatwasbrewingagainsttheTribals.”

Martanja lookedatherforawhile,hardlybelievingthatapersoncouldbesocoldandcalculativeyetwarmanddesirableatthesametime,atsuchayoungage.Durukti pursed her lips, amused by her improvised plan. “I suppose you shouldcontinueworking,chief.Youdon’twanttobelate.Ifthatboystaysthereforlong,he’sgoingtocrumpleyourarmy.”

Kalkiwastiedupwitharope,hismouthstrapped,withfivespearsclosetohisneck.Evenifhewouldtrytostruggle,hewouldbestabbed.

“For your sake, just stopmoving. I’m trying to save you.Don’t forceme tokill,”Durukticalmlysaid,tryingasmuchasshecouldtoholdheremotionsback,tosoundcold.

Kalki’seyesspokeathousandwords.Helookedasifhedidn’tcarethatshewasdoinghimafavourandhewouldratherdiethantakeheruponit.Butitwasallhisangerandhatred towardsher that spoke throughhiseyes.Asentimental person is a

dangerousentity.Duruktifocusedherattentionbackattheharness.Shecameforward,herrobe

slowly tracing the ground. She saw it was near, her goal. Her eyes flashed withbrilliance.Thebouldershiftedandmanoeuvredawayfromtheopening.Thehorsestriedmovingfaster,as thevillagerscontinuedtochipawayat therock.Andthentherockwaspushedapart.Theyallbegantorushaway,withsomegettingtrampledunderit.

DuruktisaidtoMartanja,“Goandtendtothem,I’llseetheinside.”ShewantedtogetridoftheRakshas,sothathedidnotseetheso-calledSomas.Martanjagaveareluctantnodandmovedtothefieldswithhismen.HalfofthemstayedwiththeyellingKalki, as they tried to stophim.Hewasn’t able toproperly shout, forhismouthwasclosed.Duruktilookedathimunapologetically,beforemovingtowardsthecaves,herheartthumpingfuriously.

“You should very well hope I’m going to see something wonderful inside.Otherwise…” she eyed Symrin, who barely managed to swallow a lump ofnervousness.

ThreeRakshasfollowedher.Attheentrance,theRakshaslitthefirelampsandshecouldhearhowthelampsmadeasoundwhentheywerelit.Itsmelledofputriddampness.Whenshetrainedthelamplightagainstthewall…

Shedidn’tseeanything.SheshotaglanceatSymrin,whowaslookingbackather.As she went deeper, Durukti crossed the walls that were tainted a bright

sapphireblue,shesawtherewere inscriptionscarvedon it,comprisingofvarioussymbolsandglyphs.Shetouchedit;thesymbolwasofaninfinitythatwaswrappedinsideazigzagstructure.

“I’msorry,mylady,Iwastold…Iwastold…”“Youknowwhatthisis?”Duruktihadapallidfacewhensheaskedherfoolish

handmaiden.“ThisisthesymbolofVishnuthePreserver.”Shemovedtowardstheotherglyphwhichhadastrangedesign.“Thisisashapeofahorse,awhitehorse,”andshecametothelastone,“andthisisvictory.’

“My lady, I thought they were…” her voice had been echoing, Durukti justnoticed.

Duruktishotafingerup,againstherlips,tosilenceSymrin.Shewalkedforwardasthecaveturnedouttobeleakingsomekindofliquid.Shetouchedit;itwasblueincolour,perhapstaintedwiththecolourthathadleachedfromthewalls.

“Speakagainnow,”sheinstructedthegirl.“Yes?”meeklySymrinsaid.

“Loudly,girl!” raspedDurukti.Butshecouldn’t reallyhearSymrin’svoiceforherownvoiceechoedsomuchthatDuruktiknewwhatitwas.

DuruktigrabbedthefirelampfromoneoftheRakshasandtosseditacrosstothefront.

“Mylady!”exclaimedSymrin.Butwhatthelampdidwasextraordinary,asitbrokeforth,andthefirecaught

on.The lightwasemitted,and loandbehold, thewall infrontof themmorphedwithbluestonesprotrudingout jaggedly.Thefunnypartwas; ithadbeenthefirethatledhertotheSomas.

“Thisisit,”shesaid.Symrin’sfacebrightened.“Yes,madam,Iwasright.”Durukticameforwardwithasmiledancingonherlips,touchingthebluefossil,

andwithasnapofherfinger,shebrokeit.Ithadseemedcrystallinefromafar,butwasinfactquitemalleableandsoft.Andasshechippedawayattheends,astrangeblueliquidpouredoutoverherskin.

Shesmelledit,butitsmelledof…nothing.Shedippedherfingerandeventastedit,itwasjustsomeliquid.“Areyousurethisisit?”Symrin beamed. “Yesma’m, we have just found the cure for your brother.”

And despite the smile she gave, there was something unsettling about it thatDurukti couldn’t understand. But perhaps it was her unwarranted suspicion thatprobed her into thinking this. Perhaps, she should be happy. And she struggledwithasmile,eventhoughsheknewtosaveone,plentyofliveshadbeenlost.

Arjan had been seeing it all. It was a day after the entire pack of Rakshas withDurukti had left, that they had emerged. Till then, they had subsisted on fruitsscavenged from the ground. Exhausted, Arjan walked on the path of Shambalaagain,trudgingawayfrompeoplewhoeyedathim,KripaandBala,fortheywereallaccessoriestowhathadhappenedhere.

Buthepaidnoheed.Thecorpseswerebeingpicked,thepyreswerebeinglit.As they reached his home,which had been untouched by all the violence,Arjanspokeup.“Youshouldhaveletmego.”

“Andgetyourselfkilled?”Kripasaid,glancingatBala.“You talkcrazier thanyourbrothersometimes,mate.”

ArjanhadbeendraggedbyBalawhenhesawwhathappenedtoKalki.Arjan,Kripa andBalaweremaking theirway towards the caves after gathering enoughweaponsandsupplieswhentheysawKalkihadalreadyreachedandhewasbeingtrappedbysomanyRakshas,unabletomove,forcedbythemtokneelsohecouldbe subdued.He was bounded and gagged by them. Arjan wanted tomove, andattack,butKripastoppedhim.

“Youwillmeetyourbrother’sfate.Theladyofthecourtlikesyourbrother,butnotyou,sobeware,”Kripawarned.

Arjan didn’t listen to the oldman, for he always talked idiotically, but itwasBalawhoknew itwas theend.Theycouldn’tdoanything thatwould saveKalki.Theyhadtobesmart.

“WhereisLakshmi?”Arjanasked,standingbesidehishutinthepresent.KripaandBalaexchangedglances.“Allright,thisisnotgoingaccordingtotheplan.”Arjanclenchedhisfist.“Tobefair,mate,wedidn’thaveaplaninthefirstplace,”Kripasaid,“butat

leastwewereabletosurviveandsodidKalki.Thatwasgrand,initsownway.”Arjan nodded. He glanced at the village once again. More than half the

residentshadbeenkilled.“Ican’tstayhere.”“AndIhopeyoudon’t,becausenow…”Kripabeamed.“Now,nothing,”Arjanstopped,ashebegantowalkinsidethehut,rummaging

through the things,pickinguphis clothes.For some reason, thevery thoughtofhim entering and being greeted by his mother was something he was lookingforward to.But therewasnofamily.AndArjanwasgladhehadsenthismotheraway,forheknewitwouldhaveonlyresultedinhergoingdowntheroadliketheothers.Thethoughtcreatedapowerfulknotinhischest.

“Wheredoyouplantogo?”Theoldmanfidgeted.Heboredhimtodeath.Hewasaguruandhecouldn’teventeachabunchofvillagerstofight.Itwasalsohisfault.

“Idon’tknow.Notdecidedityet.”BalakepthispalmonArjan’sshouldertostophim.Itwasheavy,hecouldfeel,

but also stickywithblood.Arjan just realizedhehadn’tbathedafter thewar.Hehad to take a dip in the lakeperhaps, but then the lakewouldbe filledwith theashesofthemenandwomenwhodiedforalostcause.

“Weneedtohelpyourbrother.”“He’s gone.” Arjan wrapped a long dupatta across his chest and he used

anothertowrapabundleofclothesforhimtocarry.“Andhe’sdead.”“Wecan’tgiveuplikethat,mate.Iknowyoufeeldisheartened…”“Disheartened?” snappedArjan. “That’s an understatement. I feel horrible. I

feellikeIwassupposedtodieinhisplace.Therearepeopleouttherewhohateus,hatemyfamily.Ican’tevenbringmymotherbackhere.Shambalaisnomoretheplaceitusedtobe.It’sallover.Thesaviourofmankind,wellhe’srottinginsomejailperhaps.”

Kripashrugged.“Kindwordsforyourblood.”“He’snotmyblood.Iamnotanyone’sblood.”Kripaarchedhisbrows.“Idon’tknowwhat thatwasabout,but thefact that

youwant to leave for somewhere is stupid.Youcan’tdo this to thepeople.Youoweittoyourbrother,toprotecthim.”

Owe?Hedidn’toweanything.Nottoanyone.Hewalked to his room to pick up his things.With a heavy heart, he looked

through the important books he could use for the journey to…somewhere. Thethoughtscaredhim,butperhapshecouldgotoMother.Butthen,shewouldasksomanyquestions, andhe’dbeafraid toanswer them,especially thatKalkiwasnotreturningbackanytimesoon.

Butwhatreallyputhimoff?Wasitthepeopleorwasittheinevitabilityoftheirdefeat?Wasitfailurethatscaredhim?EversincethetimeinGurukul,hehadbeenwinning.EvenwiththeMlecchas,hehadwonwithKalki.Allofthosetimes,failurewasjustawordforhim;butnowithadbecomehisreality.

And thatwaswhen his eyes darted and he noticed a sickle. Itwas the sameweapon his mother had given him when he was going out there to find theMlecchas.He had barely used it during the fight against theMlecchas, as it wastakenby them.Hehad later retrieved it fromtheir tent,butneveroncehecaredaboutit.Lookingbacknow,hefeltinsteadofbowsandarrows,heshouldhavejuststucktousingthesickle.

Cowardsgiveupafteradefeat.Butthosewhogetupafterthedefeataretherealwinners.Why was he giving up on finding Kalki? His mother had told him to stay

together, toneverseparate.Sowhywashegivingupatall?Whathadhappened?Hestoodthereinsilence,viewinghisculpabilityintheentireturnofevents.

Somethinghadtakenoverme.Perhapsitwasguilt,sadnessandfailure;hesaidtohimself,shakinghishead.

“Well, it’ll be dishonest if I say it isn’t entertaining to see you mutter toyourself,”Kripagrinnedcheekily,“butcanIaskwhatyouarethinkingabout,withthatthinginyourhand?”

Arjanturned.Thevoiceswereback,andthemomentarybutdeafeningsilencehadvanished.Hesighed,ashebegan.“WhatwillhappentoShambalaifweleave?”

“Letmetellyouastory.”KripastretchedhisarmsashecalmlysatonthematwhereArjansleptatnight.“Yearsback,awarhadhappened,moreorlessclosetotheBreaking.Thewarwaspatheticinitsoutcome.Manylosttheirlives,andmanyforgotaboutit.Itwastheworstwar…”

“Like the Mahayudh?” Arjan asked, recalling the time of Lord Arjun, from

whomhehadreceivedhisname.Arjunplayedapivotalroleinthat,beinganarcherofunprecedentedfame.

Kripagulpednervously.“Well,moreorless,theMahayudhwassomethingthatstretched for years. Yes. And many towns, villages and cities were burnt. Thebiggestwar of all time, it had affectedmillions of lives. After that, the Breakingcausedaworseimpact.ItwasintheaftermathoftheMahayudh.”Kripashookhishead.“Regardlessofwhateverhadhappened,mypointisthatthiscountryhasseensomuchworse,butitalwaysstandsuponitsfeetandmoveson.Ittakestime,butitheals.Everythinghealsifyouhavepatience.”

Arjannodded.“And sometimes, you or I can’t do anything about it.We cannot hasten the

process.Wecanjustwatchithappen.”ArjanfeltKripawasnowtalkingtohimselfmore than tohim,but thenhe snappedbackwithhisgrin.“All saidanddone, IsupposeImademypointandifIdidn’tthenyoumustbelieveI’mextremelytiredsince I haven’t slept or drank. Dear me, I haven’t drunk at all. I need to visitMadira’sChalice…”

Balaheavedaloud.“Or not,”Kripa nervously chuckled, “whatever our great, big friend sayswe

shoulddo.”Arjanalwaysbelievedthebooks,whatevertheytaught,butthingswerealways

contradictory.Atonemoment,someonewrotesomethingandatanother,itmeantsomething else. They were unreal. Rakshas were often considered beastly,paranormal, and straight from hell. But when seen upfront, they were wise.Dangeroussure,buttheyhadanairaboutthem.Theyweren’tsobeastlyafterall.Theworldhelivedin,itwasfullofrelativecontradictionsandsubjectivities.Whatwastrueorfalse,itdependedonaperson’snormativity.

“Whatdoyouplantodothen?”Arjanasked.“Oh finally!” clapped Kripa childishly. “I’m glad you are on track, mate,

becauseIhaveaveryinnovativeplan.”Balanodded.“Speak,foulmouth.”“WearegoingtoIndragarh,wherehe’sbeingtaken.AndweneedtofreeKalki

andtakehimtothenorth,tomyfrie…wellnotfriend,butyeah,someoneIknowbecausetheSomasisout.”

“Wedidn’tseethemtakinganything…”Arjanstilldidn’tbelieveinthemythoftheSomas,butseeingKalkiinhisglory,hadbasicallyturnedaroundhisjudgments.

Kripainterjected,“Ohtheydid,becausetherewasawholelotofit.Theymusthavetakeninbulk.Andjustbesure,ifthatlittleblueliquidisoutthere,wearein

great,greattroublebecausethere’sgoingtobealotofbadthingsweshallneedtoreckon with. And we need your brother to fight it. For that, he needs to bepreparedandnotbeafoolandconfrontacourtaristocratoutintheopen,infrontofherfiftyorsoguards.Thatboy lackswisdom,buthemakesupfor itwithhisbrawns.”

ArjanglancedatBala.“Allright,sowhat’stheplan?”“Ijusttoldyou.”“Youexplainedtouswhatwouldhappen ifwedon’thelpKalki,”Arjansaid.

“Butwhatistheplantoreleasehimfromtheprisonorfromhisexecution?”Kripathoughtforamoment.Therewasabriefsilence.“We’llgotoIndragarh.”“Allright,”Arjannodded,sodidBala.“Then?“Andthen,”Kripasmiledlikeawizenedman,“weimprovise.”AndArjanreluctantlynodded,thinkingonething.Herewegoagain.

Hewassupposedtobehere.Amidst the thick,misty night where the chilliness frozeVedanta’s bones, he

waited. Indragarh, in the aftermath of the torrential downpour, often becameclimaticallyhostileforitsresidents.

He hated the meetings outside of his fort, in the middle of the night, rightwherethemainmembraneofthecitywas.Itwasdangerousoutthere,forVedanta.Hislungsfeltpolluted.Butitwasn’tjusttheolfactorysensesthatwerethemediumsofhisill-health;itwasalsohisenemiesthatlurkedintheshadows.Wallsbledwiththeir names. He was still revered as the king, but his adversaries were many;especiallysincetheoutrageouspacthehadsignedatthebehestofKali.

Assassinationshadbeenfairlycommonearlier,butnowKuverahadpromisedhim,noonewouldharmhimifheworkedwithKuvera.He’dmakesurethathisentryinthemiddleofhiscitywouldbesafe.Justtomakesurethough,hehadbeenaskednottobringmanymenandtodisguiseanyguardsascivilians.

But tonight the lanes were isolated. The guards stood some distance away,making sure no one attacked Vedanta. There were archers over the buildings,aimingatanypossiblethreat.

Onehadtobecareful,Vedantathought.

Tonight,Vedantawas supposed tomeet theYakshaking close to the tailor’sshop.AndonlyonewastheretothenorthofIndragarh.Itwasacleanersideofthecity,whereonly therichandnoblewalked.Thepeasantswhohadmigratedfromtheirvillageswouldworkineitherwestoreast,thoughpreferablywest,wheremostofthefishing,exportingandmercantileactivitieswerebased.

Vedanta couldn’t believe he would partner withKuvera. Seemingly odd as ateam, but that was exactly what Kuvera wanted—an odd pair that’d be abovesuspicion.NoonewouldlookatthemandbelievethataTribalandaManavcouldeverworktogether.

And that is exactly what Vedanta had thought initially. He didn’t like theprospectofworkingwithKuvera,buttheYakshakinghadallowedhimselfinoneday,inhisfort,demandinghispresence.

“Iknowyouaresuffocated,mylord.”Therewasathinnesstohisvoice,unliketheothers,whoroaredas theyspoke.Hehada rhythmwithhiswords,hisbald-egg-likehead,withtheweirdmongoosecurleduparoundhim.WheneverVedantawouldevencomeclose,themongoosewouldsnarlandthenKuverawouldhavetopet it.“Youdon’t liketherulesandbelieve itornot,Idon’teither.Yousee,I’mjust amere investor inKali’s expeditions. These aren’tmine. In fact, I was veryprejudicialaboutattackingyou,butKaliforcedmeintoit.”

Vedantahad listenedcalmly,notbelievingaword,buthehadtocongratulatethemanforhisingeniouswayoftellinglies.Spitefullies,indeed.Buthedidn’tcareforhehadknownwhyKuverahadcometohiminthefirstplace.

Support.“Ithoughttobeaninvestorhaditsbenefits,”Vedantaspat.Kuverahadapallidanddrawnface.“Indeed,andIamadmittingthat.Butyou

mustrealiseamanhasneeds.AplacewhereIcomefrom,Alak,thecityofgold…”hetrailedoff.

Vedantanodded.Hehadheard about the central city.For some, it hadbeenmythical,where theGodshad tossed their riches before departing from Illavarti.ButVedantalargelyregardedthesestoriesasmythical.

“ItwasatreasuryfortheGods,”Kuverahadsmiled,“justsomethingourcityisproudof.Butletusbehonest.Godswerehumanswithalargefollowingoffanaticsaroundthem,whomadethemkingsofreligion.Wehada lotofpeoplevouchingforourtreasury,thebiggestonethereis,mindyou.Wehaveworkedveryhardtoconjureallthemoneyinthere;it’sconsideredthebankofIllavartiifI’mnotbeingtoobombasticinmyownestimates.”

Notbombasticatall,Vedantagrittedhisteeth.

“Butthatisjustthebackgroundofmystory.MyrealityisIwasgiventhenameofKuveraaftertheGodofTreasure—Kuber,orinournativelanguage,Kuver.Myfatherthoughtitwouldsuitmebest,forIwasborninrichesandrightfullywoulddieinitaswell.”

Vedanta had waited for the truth to be laid out, but the man didn’t speakproperly.Hekeptcirclingaroundthemaintopic.

“Kali had come to me for monetary help. More so, it was about buyingmercenaryarmiescomprisingoftheRakshas,theNagasandtheYakshas.Moreoverheinsistedonmypersonalpresence.HehadaproposalandIthoughtthatitwouldbebesttohelphimintheplan,andcomehere,totellmyplantoyou.”

“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”Vedantahadbeengrowingrestless.“Idemandananswer.”

“Andtheanswershallbegiven,”Kuveraslylychided.“Idon’tjustliketobeaninvestorinaman’squestforworlddomination.Infact,Idon’tevenbelieveinit.Getting kingdoms together that had been dispersed after the Mahayudh was atough job thatKali had embarked on, but it is time to be lead by someone elsenow.”

Vedantahadknowntheanswertothat.“Andletmeforetell,thatsomeonewillbeyou.”

“Ohno,mylord,”Kuverahadsmiledbenignly.“It’syou.”“Me?”“Yes.”hesmiled.“Butatacost,ofcourse.”Here it came. Kuvera might be able to butter him with praises and false

platitudes,buthehadanulteriormotive.Vedantacouldseerightthroughitbuthespokenoword.Hewaited,forpatienceisavirtue.

“Itwouldbejustthetwoofus.”“Andwhat benefit will you provideme if I do this?” Vedanta narrowed his

eyes.“Riches and trade. Alak is prosperous, mind you and once I take over the

RakshasterritoryandtheNagalands,I’llextendmoreofittowardsyou.”“Holdon,youwanttotakeover?Howwouldyoudothat?”Alakmightbethe

richestcityinIllavarti,butitwasriddenwithanoutmodedarmoury.“And that’s where you come in. You give me the people. I give you the

money.”“Howdoyouplantotakeovertheterritories?”KuverahadscannedtheroomuntilhefoundapottedplantinVedanta’sstudy.

Hewasaplantenthusiast,havingvarietiesofitbackinAlak.

Kuverapulledouttheflower.“HOWDAREYOU?”roaredVedanta.“Justlikethis,”hegrinned.“Cutthemfromtheirroots.Theterritoriesbelong

totheleadersandiftherearenoleaders,thereisnoterritorytoberuledover.”Vedantahadthoughtforamoment.Theideawasn’tbadatall.“WhataboutKali?”“He’sjustaclayfigurethatneedstobeshapedaccordingtoourneedsandifhe

beginstocreateproblems,wewillsquashhimtotheground,”hegrinned.Vedanta had understood the plan. He would give the army in exchange for

money.TheywouldkillalltheotherTribalLords,evenKaliifitcamedowntoit.“Yougetsomanyterritories,whataboutme?”“I thought you didn’t want to mingle with the Tribal affairs. What sort of

reputationwouldthatbe?Afterall,theplanIdictated,wouldleadyoutogetbackallthekingdomsthatKalicontrols.Indragarhwillbeyoursagainandnotpuppet-ruledbyyou.”

Theveryimageofhimgettingallofthatbackwastempting.Vedantahad stoodup. “No.Whatguarantee is there that you’llnotbackstab

me,ifweevensucceedinthisoutrageousplan?”“AmInottrustworthy?”hehadsmiled.Vedanta’sthoughtprocesscametothepresent.Hewasn’ttrustworthysure,but

hewasuseful.Oncehewasbackontrack,hewouldkillKuveraaswell.Itwasn’tmuchof aproblem forhim. Itwashorrible though,on theotherhand,workingwiththeTribal,goingagainsthisownmoralsandjudgments,buthehadtomakeafriendoutofanenemytodissipatetheotherbitterenemies.Thus,theywerefirstgoing for Vasuki. Vedanta had used his influence over the commoners to trapVasuki’sright-handman.

At present, the shadows appeared in front of him. They were the Yakshas,short in size,butquite efficient,with longbows anddaggersdangling from theirbelt.Kuveraenteredshortly.Hehadbeenfeedinghismongoose,Vedantarealised,eyes.

“Tookcareofafewmentoday.”Hetossedtheeyetothemongoose.“Forwhat?”Kuvera scanned his environment. “Remindme again to never call you here,

henceforth.”“Whowereyoutakingcareof?”Vedantaasked.“Uh,justsomefellowNagas.”“Naga?WhatifVasuki…”

“Ah,don’tworry,”heshookhishead,“theyarenotmyproblem.Igotridofthem,andVasukiwouldn’tevenknowhelosttwoofhismen.”

“Whydidyoudoit?”“I called you here for that only, my lord. We are in jeopardy, for Kali has

anotherenemy.”“Enemy?”Vedantamused.“Ohyes,he lefthis fort andhadanassassinationattemptedonhimbynone

other than aNaga. Hence I had to torture their ilk to figure out who could bebehindtheattack.”

“Couldn’titbeVasuki?”“ItwastoostupidforVasukitosendhisownman.Hewouldhiresomeoneon

amercenarybasis,fromanothertribe.Oh,thispersonisclever,whoeverit is.Hewanted the blame to be on the Naga Tribe. You think it could be his ownsupporterstryingtogoagainsthim?”

Vedantanodded.“WhereisKalinow?”“Probablyonhisdeathbed,”hesaid.“Butfearnot,hissisterhasbroughtsome

medicinefromoneofyourvillages.”Vedanta’sfeetstilled.“Whatvillage?”“Shambala.”Vedantashookhishead.“Howdareshegobehindmyback?”Kuverapatted

Vedantaonhisshoulder.“Calmdown,mylord.The last thingyouwant is toenrageKali.He’llbefinesoonenoughandhe’ll

takecontrol.Afterall, thepowerover thevillageswasgiventohissisterandyousignedonit,remember?Pooryou,butwemightuseitasanadvantageinthiscase.”

“Advantage?”hepaused.“Howdoyouplantodothat?”Kuvera had that simple smile dancing over his lips. “Don’t worry, my lord.

Leavethatonme.”

Shejustknewhowtoattractanaudience.Standinginthemiddleofthebustlingroad,Padmahadadrumandsticks,and

she repeatedlybeaton it todirect everyone’s attention toher.Aakash,her friendandpartner,beganyellingforeveryonetohear.

“Listen! Listen! People,my dear folks, this is the time of the reckoning.WehavebeenseducedbytheevilsofourkingtoaccepttheTribalsandgoalongwiththefatefulplanthateverythingwillbeallright.Butnah,nothingwillbeallright.”

Hehadaburlyvoice,soPadmahadlethimtosaythesethings.Youneededtohaveastrongvoice,butPadmalackedthatorsoshethought.

“Theystealourjobs,theopportunities,theybuildupamarketandremoveus,theManavs,fromthemap.”ThecrowdbegantobeattractedandPadmawasglad.Thiswasthesecondtimethatmonthbutpeoplealwaysgatheredtolistentothem.“Listen,mydearfriends!Forgettheliestheyhavefedus.Nothinghasprogressedinthiscity.Nothing!”

Thecrowdbegantoincreaseinnumber;theyallnoddedatwhatAakashsaid.After all, he was handsome and charismatic. He had a way with words andreminded her of her second brother. She closed her eyes at the thought of hersiblingand tried todrawherself away fromthemeandering thoughtsof loveand

loss.Shehadtoconcentrateontheevent.Shewouldn’tconsiderthispropaganda.Thiswas just bashing the empire and forcing the people to think, because itwasimportant.Anideamustbefedtothepeople,sothatwhenittranslatedintoaction,itwouldcreatearevolution.

“Come, everyone! Come! Hear more truths about our king. Apparently, heworks for an…” his voice turned into a whisper, “an idiot.”He went back andgrabbedaportrait.Itwashandmadeandpoorlydrawn,butitwasclear,itwasKaliwithhislonghairandslit-likeeyes,butanosethatwascaricaturishlylong.

“What do they say about men with long noses?” he raised his browsmischievously. Everyone grinned and laughed.No onewould have believed, buttheyweresayingallof this inthemiddleof thestreet.Ratri, their leaderofstreetpropaganda, had told them to choose a suitable place and time. Early in themorning,patrollingbytheNagaswasless.

Lasttimetoo,theyhadtriedtopullastuntlikethis.Theyhadputhand-drawnposters across thecity, ridiculing indifferent languages and saying:YOUAREAFAILURE, KINGSHIP! It was all over the place and while it didn’t harm theTribals, it did get the attention of the Nagas, and they had chased Aakash andPadmatotheendsofthecity,wheretheyhadtodiveintotheriverandfloatalongtheothersideofthebank,wheretheyreachedthewesternpart.

Ratri had said that itwas all right to be supportive of theTribals, but on anequal measure. If it would lead to disruption of the Manav life, then such anempowermentandequalitywassham.

AnowlflappedintheairuntilitplaceditssmallbodyoverPadma’sshoulder,closetoherbrightsilverhair.Everyonewonderedhowonecouldgetsilverhairatthisage,butitwasn’tgenetics.Shehadusedchemicalstocoverherhead.Andshehadreasonsfor it.Shehadbeenpartofagreat tragedy inher lifeandherface ifrecognizedby the king,wouldmean execution. Itwasn’twhat she had donebutwhat her brothers had done to the king. Theyweren’t his greatest supporters ofhim, even before the Tribal inclusion. They had looked for democracy overdictatorship; and in all fairness, it hadn’t gone too well. Things began to swingagainstherfatesandPadmahadtofacethedireconsequences.

Shekissedthecornersofherowl’sears,whoblinkedatherandnarrowedhereyes adorably. That was when Padma noticed a scroll had been tied around hersmall feet.With one hand nowbeating the drums, she picked up the scroll. Sheunrolledit,strugglingtodoitwithonehand,butshemanageditandrealizedwhathadhappened.

Theyarecomingyourway.She’snew.

Theyarecomingyourway.She’snew.

–Ratri

Hereyesdartedup.Shestoppedthebeating.Aakashlookedather,eyeinghertocontinue,butPadmashookherhead.

“Weneedtoleave.”He gave a charming grin to the awaiting public and reached out to her,

whispering,“Stopgettingworried,allright?It’llbefine.”“Wecangetcaught,”Padmasaid.“Ratrisentamessage…”Hecutheroff. “Ratri isparanoidever since shehasbeen shifted to a stupid

library.Stopworryingandbeatthedamndrums…”Andthatwaswhensheheardit.Thegallopinghorsesappearedandthecrowd

begantoinstantlydisperse,afraidofbeingseennexttoenemiesofthestate.No.TherewerefourNagasinfrontofheronhorses,andinthemiddletherewasa

womanwithonyxblackhair,solong,ithadtobebraided.“Nowwhatisthisgoingon?Seditionsperhaps,darling?”askedthewoman.It was supposed to be some kind of threat, but it came off as a seductive

comment. Perhaps this woman was working for the Nagas, but the way shepositioned herself clearly showed she was more authoritative than just a usualcommander. She had an air about her, with her chin up, her angular nose andeyebrowsliftedup.

“Don’tkillthem.Ilovethepseudo-revolutionaries!”Sheclappedwithdelight.Whatthe…And that was when the first Naga appeared with a blade, reaching out for

Aakash,whowhimperedandfellback.Padmahadtodosomething.Shealsosawanother Naga coming, while the rest of the crowd around them simply meltedaway. As they came close, Padma and Aakash were cornered against the brickbuilding.Shetossedthedrumonthesideand…

Padmawhistled. Instantly, the owl on her shoulder launched itself, smashingone of theNagas on the face. It fell back. TheNagawas a tall person, not toomuscularliketheRakshas,butwithsnake-shapedtattoosontheirbodies.Andforall the toughness theyshowed,oneof themwasknockeddownbyabird.AstheotherNagasgotpuzzledbythebirdattack,Padmatooktheadvantageofthewall,leapingagainstit,intheprocesspullingouttwolongdaggers.TotheonewhohadreachedouttothefrightenedAakash,sheflungherdagger.

Akashyelled.

Padmarolledhereyes.Hewasnotevenhelpingandhewascreatingsuchnoise.It was irritating on a whole lot of fronts. The other Nagas came towards her,seemingly as shewasmore confrontational anddangerous.The fact that shehadkilledtheofficersofthecourtmeantshewasgettingthenooseortheaxe.Andsheoutof all thepeopleknewhowhorrifying itwas to evenwatch it, let alonebe avictimofthedraconianritual.

Shecouldn’tkilltheNagas,sheknew.Shedidn’tuseherdagger,butshepulledoutcoppercoins—panas,outofherpocket.Theywerereddishandrounderthanusual,withthestrangecarvingsofIndragarh’smotto inscribedover it.Shetossedthem across towards theNagas’ feet, whichmade them trip when they clumsilysteppedoverthecoins.

Padmachuckled.Theystoodupandbythetimetheydid,Padmakneedoneofthem.He fellback.While theothermanaged to standup, launching towardsherwithablade.Shedodgedit,herbodyrollingonthegroundandfallingattheback.ShetappedontheconfusedNaga’sshoulder,wholookedbehindhimselfandwaspunchedforhisefforts.

Theothermanhadnoweapon,buthewasbigger thantherest.Hebegantoshakehisfist.

“I’mgoingtokillyou.”Ugh.“I’m done being nice.” Padma flung another of her daggers right across the

Naga’supperchest,wherethebreastplatedidn’tcovertheskin.Helookeddownatit and pulled it out, only to realise Padma had just hit him at the veins. Bloodsprayedandhecollapsedontheground.

She grabbed for the body that covered Aakash. She tossed him to the side,pullingthedaggerfromhim.

“Let’sgo.”Aakash stoodup,gulpingand shivering.They turnedandas theydid,Padma

realizedshewasstandinginfrontoftenmoreNagas.Theyallhadspears intheirhands; shields covered them.Theywere ready towarwith a commoner like her.Andtheystoodthere,withtheirweapons,drawninchesawayfromtheirneck.

Howdidtheyevenmanagetocomesofast?“OhGod,wearedead,Itoldyouweshouldhavegone,”Aakashwhimpered,

“Please!Pleasedon’thurtus!Please!Idon’twanttodie.”Youmustbejoking?Padmarolledhereyes,butsquaredhershouldersandcameinfrontofAakash.

Shewasnotafraid,forshehadseenandfeltsomethingworsethandeath.

Andthatwasgrief.“Youreallythoughtyouwouldescape,darling?”askedtheladyassherounded

offwithablackstallion,withseveralmoremenstationedbehindher.“Youmustn’tunderestimatethoseyouoppose.”Padmadidn’tutteraword.“Taketheboy,”sheordered.“Youknowwheretosendhim.”“Sorry, sorry,”Aakash pleaded beforePadmawas pushed to the ground and

AakashwastakenbytheNagas.Anotheronewasgone.To be fair, she didn’t feel bad. Sure, he was helpful, but he was indeed just

derailinghermission.Thewomanontheblackhorsecameontoherfeetandthemoment her legs met the floor there was a clink sound. Padma noticed a smallankletwrapped around her ankle. Padma noticed how thewoman had one limphandwhiletheotherwasfunctional.

“Taketheinjuredandsendthemovertotheinfirmary.Iftheyaren’tallrightbytomorrow,tellthemtheyareexiled.”Thewomansaid,beforehereyescaughttheattentionofPadma.Shehadlightblueirisesthatseemedtoreflectthecolouroftheskies.

“MynameisPrincessManasa,sisterofLordVasuki.”TheNagaroyalstudiedPadmaintently.“Ihopeyoudon’tfeelbadforyourfriend.Hewasn’treallyhelpingyourcauseand thosewhodon’thelp inyourcauseshould justbedebarred fromexisting.”

Manasawalkedoverthepanas,whichPadmahadtossedontheground.“ThesearecoinswhichwereusedduringtheMahayudh.Howdidyoufindthem?”

HowdidsheknowwhatcoinswereusedduringtheMahayudh?“I am a collector,” Padma said.Collecting coins had been her hobby. Itwas

somethingsheloveddoingsinceshewassevenyearsold.Manasahandedherbackthe coin. Padma took it, surprised by the generosity of the Naga princess. Shestuffeditinherdanglingpouch.

“I like your hair,” she playedwith it, lacing her thin long fingernails painted,paintedadarkrubyred,throughherhair.“Isitnatural?”

Padmashookherhead.Shefelt likeshehadamotherat thatmoment, inthemidstofthehumdrummarket,flankedbyNagaguards.

“You are special, my dear,” Manasa continued playing with the silver hair,rollingitinherfistasifittofeelit,andPadmacouldfeelaslight,softjerk,“quitespecial.Agirlsoyoungwhoisabletofendofftrainedmen—nowthat’sasightIhavebeendying for, in thisgodforsakencity.Unlike theManavs, theNagas take

prideingivingthebestofeducationandwarfaretechnique.Spyingisacrucialartthey perform, in which the women are more important than their malecounterparts.Men are taught about philosophy, but they end up with suras andwines at their disposalwhilewomen are the harbingers of knowledge and peace.YouremindmeofaNaga.”

“Whydoyoudowhatyouweredoing?”Padmaremainedquiet.Anythingspokenagainstthestatewouldbesedition.“Doyouhatetheruler?”Padmalookedupather.“Ah, indeed, this iswhereweboth align,because Ihatehim too,” she softly

smiled, “My dear, we both, if we worked together, could achieve somethingwonderful.Ifyoudodecidetotakemyoffer,dropintomyofficesometime,”shesaid.

Sowhywasshegoingaroundthecitystoppingpropagandists?Wasitthatshewastryingtobuildanarmyofpeoplewhohatedthestaterulers?Butwhy?Whatdidshehaveagainsttheking?

“To me, all of this seems like an endlessly tedious affair, with little fruit tosavour intheend.”Shegrabbedherbythearmsandbegantowalkwithher, theNagastrailingaround.“AndIlovefruits.Youdeserveagoodendingafterwaitingforsolong,amInotright?”

Padma nodded. She didn’t know where the Naga was going with this, butwhereveritwas,sheknewshewasgoingtobeapartofit.Also,shehadneverfeltwhatpowerreallylookedlikeuntiltoday.

“Youworktoohardatthewrongend.Therealfruityoushallreceive,ifyoudowhatIsay,andwecanbothgetridofthemanyoudetest.”

“Arethereotherslikeme?”“Everyone failed to impress me except you, darling,” Princess Manasa said.

“Foryourfavours,youwillbegiveneverythingyoudesire.”Padmarealizedthattheyhadreachedabuildingwhichwasnoneotherthanthe

entrygatesoftheNagafort.AftertheinclusionoftheTribals,fortswerebuiltthatsuitedthem,andManavshadtoworkforthemtobebuilt.Manydetestedtheidea,butthelookoftheentirefortwasbeautiful.Shedidn’tknowwhattofeelorwhatnottofeel,butsheknewaligningwithManasacouldbegoodinthelongrun.Shecouldeithergetkilledorbereveredandrewarded.Butshedidn’tmindtheinitial,ifitsomehowledhertoachievehervendettaagainstVedanta.

As theywalkedalong thecorridorsof the fort, theywereclosingon thepaththatledtoashortdoor.TheguardsdepartedandPadma’sheartbeatincreased.She

wasinenemylandandthiswasoneoftheplacesshehadbeenfightingagainstandyethereshewas,inthemidstofit.ThethoughtofAakashbeingdraggedtothejailcelldidcrosshermind,butaparolewouldbegrantedbyRatri andhewouldbefree.Thesethoughtsshouldn’tcrowdhermindnow.

She sat in themagnificent room that hadbeen robbedof its glory by all thebooksthatwerekeptontheracks.Shehatedbooks.Shehadtriedreadingafewofthem,butnoneappealedtohervariedinterests.

“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”“Oh, yes, I will tell you, but first…” she took out another pouch from the

drawersandtosseditoveratthetable.Padma looked at it, confused, before opening it up to find gold and silver

panas, karshapanas, surashtras and cowries. Grinning, she held them out in theopen.Theywerenolongervalidcurrencyforms,andwereonlyusefulascollectibletreasure.

“I am sort of a collector as well. I’m glad we have same interests, darling,”Manasasaid.

Padmalookedup.“Youcanhaveallofit.”Padmaleftthepouch.Itwasbloodmoney.Itcamewithaprice.Thepointwas,

wasshereadytopaytheprice?“Don’tworry.”“WhatdoIhavetodoforyou?”Padmaaskedagain,thistimesternly.“Oh, it’ll be fun,” Manasa had a glint in her eyes. “You get to play with

weaponsforsure.”“Ican’t…Ican’tdothis,”itwashardrefusingallofit.“Ican’tworkfor…”“Me? I am an innocent woman,my dear. You should realise we are aligned

more towards peace andnon-violence than you know.” She laid her hand in thefront, over the table. A voice boomed from the back. Padma turned to see ahandsome, black-hairedman standing,with crystal blue eyes and a grin thatwaslazily playing on his face. He had long robes of dark blue wrapped around hisframe. He came forward with the same snide, royal attitude, rounding close toManasa.

“Sheisright,”hehissed.Bytheveryvirtues,itwasclearwhothemanwas—Vasuki,theprinceofNagas

ortheking.Moreorless,theNagasdidn’thavealotoftitlestogowithinthefirstplace,sotheychosewhateversuitedtheirnamesbest.Thatwaswhatthetalkofthetownwas.

Manasa’svoicehadautomaticallyturnedfarmoresinister,rasping,asshesaid,“Becauseintheend,itcomesdowntothis-eitheryoudowhatIsayandgetthesebeautifulcoinsasatokenofmygratitudeforbeingavaluableservantofthecourtoryou’llbeexecutedtomorrowforattackingastateofficial.”Herfistclenchedandthesmilewasnotfriendlyanymore.

“Nowitisyourchoice,love.”

Kalihadbeenrunning.Hehadforgottenforhowlong.Whenhedidmanagetoopenhiseyes,theydartedovertothefront.Hewalked

tothewhitemarblepedestalofsorts,restingagaintthecoolbalustrade.Hishandsbegantotracethedropletsofwaterinsidetheshallowpool,ashesawthereflectionof themanhehadbecome.Hehadchanged.The illnesshadeaten intohis skin,exposinghisemaciatedframe,bonylimbsandsparsehair.Hewasgrowingbaldandthatwasthelastthinghewanted.Hehadbeenreveredasahandsomemanalways,butnowhefelthewaschanging.

Ifitwasn’tforhislovingsister,Kaliwouldhavediedperhaps.Theillnessandthestabhadcausedhim tremendouspain.Hecouldn’tbelievehehadclawedhisway out with the help of Durukti. She had given him some sort of a tasteless,odourlessliquid,blueastheNagas’irises.Hehadswalloweditinonegulp.Hetookonemoreshotafewdayslaterandfeltinstantlybetter.

Thatwasthreedaysback.Now,hehadslowlystartedgaininginstrength.Hedidn’tfeelsick.Nomatter

whatthatliquidwas,hehadcomeoutoftheillnessbecauseofit.Therewereguardsandhisofficialsthatoperatedinsidesofthefort,workingon

theirdailychores.Hedidn’tcare for that.Hehad forgottenabout thepoliticshe

hadbeen going through.He stoodup, stretchinghis body a little,whenhis eyeswere drawn to his reflection. It had changed. Slowly, he crept forward and herealized,hehadn’tchanged,butthewaterhad—ithadturnedred.Bloody.

Butitwasn’tdarkoropaque.Itwaslightwherehisreflectionwasvisible,andhelookedhorrible.Hisskinhaddeterioratedinthereflectionandhehadgonebaldandhairless.Hewaswearing a strange scarf aroundhisneck tohidehis leprosy.Andatthatmoment,hesawthejuxtapositionofvariousimagesthatswiftlybeganto come forth in front of him. He couldn’t understand it. A sharp, splittingheadache shotacrosshisheadandhe felthehadgone throughsomethingworsethandeath.Hisbodyfeltfrailandhefellonhisknees,hiseyestrainedatthebloodywater,untilhesawafewmoreindividualscominginbesidehisreflection,standingrightnexttohim.Andtheworstpartwas,theywereallburnt.

“You couldn’t protect us, brother. You couldn’t protect us,” the burntreflection of a child said, but his voice echoed as if he spoke from an alternateworld.“Youleftusthere.Youleftyourbrothers,”theyallwerespeakinginunison.Thewaterbegantofuriouslyfrothandbubble.

Whatishappening?“How should I redeem myself?” he cried out. “How should I? You keep

comingtomeandIdon’tknowwhatIshoulddo.”“Honorus,”theysaidinunison,theirvoicegrowinginfrequencynow.“Honoryouhow?Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”Thehandsliftedoutofthewater,andtheburntfingersoftheghostspulledand

grabbedhimbytheneck.Hechokeduntilhewaspulled insidethebloodywater,hiseyeswideashesawtheburntsiblingsofhis,whohadnoface,noeyes,butwereamerefaçade.Theywereindescribablygrotesque,justlikeaburntvictimwouldbe.

“Honoryourroots.Seekyourheritage,”andthehandspushedhimback.Rightoutofthebloodywater,hewastossedovertheground.

Andrecoveringfromadeadlyboutofchokingcough,herealizedhewasstillsittingat thesamespot.Hewasn’twet.Thewaterwas…blueandeverythingwasstable.Itwasadelusion,hetoldhimself.Why?Amessagefromthedeadtofindhisheritage—itwasn’ttheillness.Thiswasasign,Kaliknew,somesortofanoddsign.

Hisheritagewasdark,butheknewitalready.Half thereasonhethought thevillagehadburntwasbecausetheoneswhoburntitgottoknowwhoKaliwasandwhatsortofafamilyhehadbeenhiding.Hiskindwasaplague.TheAsuras.Theworstofthekind,thelepersofexistence,calledtheso-calleddemons,eventhoughtheyweresimple-mindedpeople.AllAsurasweresupposedtogrowintotheDarkAge,theso-calledprophesizedfuturewheremurderandchaosruledtheworld.He

hadn’t toldanyoneexceptDuruktiwhotheywere.Notbecause itwasdangerous,butbecausehewouldn’tlikethewaytheywouldlookathimafterthat.Lethimbeamystery,hethought,thatwouldbeforthebest.

Kalithoughtofnotrunninganywhereanddecidedtotrudgeofftohisoffice,whenheranintoKuvera,whowasenteringthefortinhistypicallyportlymanner,accompaniedbyabeautifulconsortandafewYakshas.

For a man who was supposed to be controlling the city finances, Kuveraseemedrathermodestatfirstglance.

“Iseeyouaredoingwell.”“Yes,I’llbereturningfortheCouncilmeeting,”Kalisaid.Whatwas he doinghere?Hedidn’t ask toomany questions though, for that

wouldcomeoffasblunt.Hedidn’twantKuveratobeonhisbadsidesincehewasthefirstonewhovolunteeredtotakedownKeekatpur,andtherestofthenorthernkingdomsinIllavarti.

“Arewehavingthatnow?”“Wehaveto.”“Iapologizeforbeingtooforward,”Kuverasmiled.“Buthowisyourback?”

heasked,lookingnottheleastbitapologeticabouthisintrusivequestion.AndKaliwouldhavehadjoyinbreakinghisfatface,buthechosenotto.He

wasbeinggrumpy for some reason.Hewould alwaysbe calmandquiet, andyetnowhewantedtoshakeofftherestlessnessfromhisfingersandhischest,thathadacertainheavinesstoit.Hefeltjitteryandaggressiveforsomereason.

“Youknowtoomuchforyoursake,LordKuvera,”hesaid,inasimultaneouslyplacatingandmenacingvoice.

“I’mbeingpoliteandinquisitivemerely,”Kuverabegan,“butI’vehearditwasaNaga that had tried a ploy against you, but then theGodswere kind and hadgiftedyouanotherlife.”

Kali shook his head as he began tomove towards his office, passing guardswhobowedathimandKalijustnoddedinreturn.“YououtofallpeopleknowIdon’tbelieveinthebloodyGods.TherearenoGodsorGoddesses.Therearejustmen.”

“Iknow.Iunderstandyourreligiousscepticism.”Kalihadbeentiredofalltheoppositionbythetemplepriests,whowantedthe

Manavs, the progenitors and the first born, to be at the forefront of the rulingkingdoms.TheTribalswere the backwards, the less developed in front of them.NowKalihadn’tpractisedanysortofmeasureonthetemples,fortheywereplacesof worship and one shouldn’t touch theGods if one wanted to avoid a violent

reactionorrevolution.TheyhadreachedtheofficewhenKuveracontinued,“Youmustnotforgetthatanattackonyoumeansanattackonme.LetmefindoutwhytheNagarebelled.”

Kalisatonhisseatandcontemplated.“Oryoudon’tthinkherebelled?”Kuveracameforward,sittingintheopposite

armedchair.“Ohno,youdon’tthinkitwasVasuki,afterall,doyou?”KalihadacertaindistastefulfeelingabouthowKuverawasleadinguptothis,

buthecouldn’thelpitandadmittedflatout.“KokoandVikokoinvestigated,andtheysaidtheNagawasnotfromhere,atleastnotapartofanyenlistedregiment.”

“Then it justcouldn’tbeVasuki.”Kuvera leanedbackwithastraight face.“Imean,I’msurehewouldn’triskitallbybringinganoutsidertodothisworksoyouwon’tgetsuspicionsabouthim.Thatjustsoundsveryunlikehim.”

Kaliclenchedhisteeth.Wherewasthefatmangoingwiththis?“I’msure it isn’tVasuki.Hejust likesyoua lot.Hebelievedinyouthemost.

I’msureitwasmymoneytoo,butitwashispersistence…”Kalilaidhishandinthefrontandbangeditoverthetabletocutthekingofthe

Yakshasoff.“AfterTakshakdied,heblameditonmeandsaidhewouldtakecareofithimselfandIwouldn’tlikeitthewayhewoulddoit.”

Kuvera liftedhiseyebrowsinnocently.“DearGods,youarebeingtargetedbyhimafterall.Ithoughthewouldkeepthedifferencesasideandbeagoodman.I’venever told you why I stole the mani from him, which he loves so much. NotbecauseIlikeshinythings,butbecauseIwantedhisegotobebroughtdown.Themani made him beg to me, and I liked that. It brought him to the level wheresnakesaresupposedtobe,youknow.”

ThemongoosewrappedaroundKuvera’snecktighter.Hehadevennamedit,whichKalifailedtocontemplate.Hedidn’tcaremuchaboutKuvera’smongoose,butitwasfunnyhowhisanimalandVasuki’sreptilehadonethingincommon—theywerebotharchenemiesinrealityandinnature.

“Wedon’tknowyet,”Kalisaid,sighing.“Thesearejustassumptions.”“Iknow.Ihopeyoudotherightthing,Kali.Idon’twantyoutobehurt.You

havereturnedandyouarestrongandIwantthatyougetalltherichespossible.”Kalistampedhisfeetandwentforapairofdicehehadkeptinasmall,wooden

box. He began to rub them together as if he was about to throw them, but hedidn’t.Hecontinuedtorubthem,inordertoalleviatethegrowingsenseofuneasebuildinginsidehim.

“Do you think if it comes to be proven, we should plan something againstVasuki?” Slowly,Kuvera brought up the issue after a brief silence thatKali was

enjoying.AndbeforeKali could even sayno, therewas aknockat thedoor andKokoenteredwithhisthicklycoveredarmour.

“My lord,wehavea streetoffender thatLadyManasa, sisterofLordVasuki,caught,”Kokosaid.

KaliandKuverasharedabriefglance.Whatweretheoddsthatthepersontheytalked about was mentioned a second later by another person who didn’t evenknowabouttheirconversation?

“Whathadhedone?”Kaliasked.Offenderswerehundredsinnumberandtheywould be brought here tomeet a higher-order official to decide the fate of theoffender.

Koko came inside and placed a folded paper. “He was promoting seditiouscommentsaboutthestateandhadbeeninfluencingthepublic.”

Casuallyliftedthepaperandunfoldingit,Kaliasked,“Weretheyinfluenced?”“Iwasn’tthere,mylord,buttomyknowledge,I’msuretheyweren’t.”Kalisawthepaper.Itwasadiagramofhisfacewithabuseswrittenoverit.“Should I send him for laborious exile or for a fifty day imprisonment, my

lord?”Kali scratchedhishead, asheburnt thepaper in the fire lamp.He lookedat

Kuvera, who was surprised by his act. Kali was glad there was a flicker ofnervousnesscrossingKuvera’sface.

“Whereishe?”“Outside,mylord,”Kokosaid.Kali opened the door, with Kuvera and Koko following and saw Vikoko

standingwithtwoManavguards,holdingtheoffender.Hewasyoung, justaboy,perhapsinhistwenties.Hehadahandsome,cherubicface.Forsomeonelikehim,KaliwassurprisedthathewaspromotingpropagandaagainstKaliandhispeople.Itwerekindsofpeople thatangeredhim,whohadabsolutelyno ideahowmuchhardworkKalihadputintoreachthisstageinhislife.

Kali came forward,watching the boywhowas looking down.Hewas surelyembarrassed, perhaps seeking forgiveness genuinely. But Kali had other plansproddinghim.Kali didn’t utter aword andhe didn’t let the boy say anything aswell.HegrabbedthejavelinthattheRakshashad,plungingitinsidetheboy’schest.Kaliliftedthejavelintoaccommodatetheboy’sbodyweightwithease,ashebegantowalkwithit,leadingitawayfromthecorridorsuntilhewasoutinthesun.Withasharp twistofhiswrist,hedugoneendof the javelinon thegroundwhile theotheronewasuphigh,almostblockingthesun.Thebodyoftheboywrithedoverthejavelin,ashegotimpaleddeeper,hisfleshslowlyslidingdownthepole.

All the nobles and the women in the fort watched this scene, horrified,whispering to each other. He turned to face Koko, Vikoko and Kuvera, whoremainedstunnedbytheacthehadjustperformed.Hewassurprisedhimself,buthewasgladtoo.

“Listen,”hecalmlysaidtoKoko,“callanartistandmakeasketchofthisandspread it across the entire city. Anyone who goes against the state will face thisconsequence.I’mtiredof thiscommunity’s irritatingwretchedness.”Kaliyawned.TurningtoKuvera,“IsupposeIshouldgettobed.’

Kuvera watched him for a while, incredulously. “Uh…” he coughed gently,“yes,Isupposeyoushould.Youmustbe,um,tired,yes.”

Kalinoddedwithasmirk.HemovedawayfromKuvera,andtheimpaledbodybehindhim,whichwasdrawinginacrowd;buthissmiledidn’twearoff.Hehadbegunplanning things for all theTribalHeads now.Hehad plans forVasuki aswell,butitwouldtaketime,forheknewthevisitbyKuverameantonething—hecouldn’ttrustanyoneanymorefromthecouncil.Hehadtodependonhimselfandtheoneshecouldtrust.

Inallthesemusings,afunnythoughtpoppedinhishead.Hisrestlessnesshadvanished,andheknewexactlywhy.

LordRaghavbreathedcalmlyinKalki’sears.“Don’tgripthebowwithyourfingers.Let itrest inyourhand.”Raghavwalkedaroundit,hisfair-skinnedbody,hisfacewithstrikingeyes,watchingKalki,ashemadehimputhislegatthebackandonein the front. “Always remember, forty-five degrees angled grip,with your fingersoverthebow.”

Kalkinodded.Hehadabeadofsweattricklingdownhischeekasheclutchedontothebow,astightaspossiblewithanarrowstrungup,facingthesky.

“Now,when you strike,”Raghavhad a tough voice, effortlessly brusque anddeep.“youpushforwardyourbowarmtowardsthetarget.”

“WhatshouldIhit?”Kalkiwhisperedtohimself.“Coulditbetheelkinfrontofme?”Helookedattheelkwhichwasgrazingoverthegrass,unawareofthetwomenwhostoodbehindthebushes.

Raghav shookhishead. “Animalshave asmuch soul aswedo.Never forgetthat.”Hetiltedthebowtowardsthebarkofatree,“hithereandifyoucan,makeatwigfall.”

Kalkinodded,feelingapangofguiltforwantingtohavehitananimal,butthewayRaghavexplainedittohim,madeKalkirespecthimmorethanhealreadydid.Heneverbelievedhewouldbe in this lush scenery, in themidstof the croaking

frogs and the hooting owls, and the bristlingwind thatmade awhistling sound.Everythingwassobeautifulhere,unrealtoapoint.Becauseitwas,intheend,hisimageformedthroughChannelling.Hewasn’table tomeetBhargavRam,buthewasabletolearnalittlebitaboutChannellingandhowtointeractwithhispreviousAvatars.Theywerereflectionsthroughtime,residinginoursubconscious,sothattheycouldteachusthewaystohoneaparticularcraftinwarfare.

Kalki left the arrow. It created a slithering sound as it went past in the air,attackingthetwig,butfailingtohaveanimpact.Thearrowfelldown.

Kalkicursedunderhisbreath,stampinghisfeet.Raghavwalkedtothearrowandpickeditup.“Neverdespair.”Hewalkedback

to Kalki and handed him the arrow again. “For what falls down can always bepickedup.”

Kalkinodded.Hetookthearrowagain,butthenhistargetbegantodistort.Hefelt this realitywas crumbling around him and a soft sound began to plague hisears…

“MAN!MAN!”Thesoundechoedinthecorridorsofhisconscience.Andhewassnappedback,hisbodyjerking,andherealizedhehadreturnedto

theprison.Itwasdingy,smellingofdeadrodentsandhadagutteryfeeltoit,withthewalls leaking blackwater.Hewas sitting in a position of penance, before heuncurledhis legs andmoved to the side, fromwhere thevoicehadoriginated. Itcamefromhiscellinmate,anotheroneintheholelikehim.

“Whatareyainfor?”“Murder,”repliedKalki.“Youseemlikesimplefolkfromasmallvillage,ya?”Kalkinodded.“Whichonewouldthatbe,ya?”“Shambala.”He couldn’t see the face of the inmate right now, but he had seen it earlier

whentheywerealllockedincagesandputatthetrialinthecentreofthecity.Theyweresupposedtobewitnessesfornoreason,butKalkiknewwhy.Itwastosetthefearintheotherprisonersthatiftheyrevolted,theydied.

Theinmatehadnonameandevenifhehad,hehadforgottenaboutit.Hehada grainy beard that covered his face, with a bald head. Even though thecharacteristicswere same,hedidn’t remindhimevenabitofKripa.WhileKripahadacunningglintrunninginhiseyes,thismanwasjustsadandtired.

“Whyareyouhere?”Kalkiasked.“BecauseI’minnocent.”

“Aren’tweall?”“Notsureaboutya,butIwasblamedforthemistakesIdidn’tcommit,”theold

mansniggered.“Yaaswell?”“Hmmm.”“Youareaquietman.”“I’vebecomeone.”“There’s a special kind of hell for those who remain silent,” he laughed,

clappinghishandsandKalkicouldn’thelpbutsmile.“Inthetimeoftheconflict.”“Thereisnoconflicthere.”“A conflict doesn’t need to be always spatial,” he paused, his breathing

soundingmorelikewheezing.“Yahaveafamilyoutthere,ya?”“Idon’tknow.Perhaps,yes.”KalkiwonderedifArjanandBalaweresafe.“Doyaknowanyonehereinthecity?”Notknowdirectly,butyes,heknewofRatri,Lakshmi’saunt.“Ihavethisonelittletrick.Ifyawantanythingoutthereforsomeonetoknow,

letmeknow,allright?I’llhelpyainthat.Ioftendothatforaprice,butforya,I’lldoitforfree.”

Kalkismiled.“Whatmakesmesospecial?”“Youseemlikeaniceboy,asightforthesoreeyesyacansay,”helaughed.Thatwaswhen their conversationhad to stop, as the tinklingof sandalswas

heard. The guards moved, who were guarding Kalki’s cage, and they opened it.TheymadesuretotieKalkitoshackles,andhewasforcedtobenddown.

It turned out to be none other than Durukti. She stood there, majestic asalways. Just likeArjan, she had away of pursing hermouth or playingwith herfingers whenever she was musing. Kalki had seen enough of Durukti to stoplookingatherwithcontemptbut.Shewasarespectedwomanhereandyetshehadashadowofsadnessmaskinghereyes,wherevershewent.Shewasn’tsupposedtobehated,buttobepitied.

“Haveyouthoughtaboutit?”Every day she would come with the same offer: work with her. And Kalki

wouldshakehisheadandsay,“Iwouldratherdiethanworkwiththewomanwhodestroyedmyhome.”Itwasalegitimateanswertoanabsurdquestion.Whywouldshe think that he would work for her? Out of all the reasons, even if he got achancetobeoutduetoher,hewouldhatehimself.Hewantedtogetoutonhisown.

“No,thankyou.”Durukti turnedtoseethe inmatewhohadhiseyestrainednexttotherailing.

DuruktistampedherfeetandtheNagascameintheinmate’scellandpulledhimontheotherside,withtheirbladesagainsthisneck.

“Don’thurthim!”Kalkiexclaimed.“Hehasalreadysufferedenough.”Duruktitoldherguardstoreleasetheinmate.Duruktikneltdown,anditwasthefirsttimehereyespleadedtohim.“Please,I

don’twanttobegtoyou,butifthatiswhatittakes,I’mreadytodoit.”Hervoicehad grown soquiet that theNagas couldn’t hear her. “Ifmybrother findsout Iholdyouhere,hewillmakesureyougetexecuted.Idon’twantthat.”

Kalkinarrowedhiseyes.“Why?Sheremainedimpassiveforamoment,butshookherheadasiftryingtobanish

thethought.“Youcanbeusefultome.”“AndwhatdoIget?”“Freedomfromdeath.”“Ihavealreadysufferedenoughbecauseofyou.”FlashesofLakshmi’s image

came in front of him.The very thought of her pokedhimhard in his chest.Hedidn’tliketothinkabouther,buthecouldn’thelpit.

“Thereisnofreedomfromdeath,onlyfreedomfromlife.”“IdidwhatIdidtosavemybrother.Hemeanstheworldtome.Youhaveno

ideahowmuchhemeanstome,”shepaused,fightingbacktears.“Iwantedhimtobewell…”

Kalkinarrowedhiseyes.“Yougaveittohim?TheSoma?”“Yes,”herbrowsarched,“why?”“Didithaveanadverseaffectonhim?”“Whatdoyoumean?”Thatmeantno.Somacouldbeconsumedeasilybyonly twopeople—Dharm

andAdharm.Tensionfilledhismuscles.“No,itcan’tbe.”Kalkiclenchedhisfist.“Haveyougivenittoanyoneelse?”Duruktishookherhead.“No.”“Please, ifyouwantmetoworkforyou,makesureyoudon’t letanyoneelse

touch that. And also make sure, to not give your brother any more, no matterwhat,”Kalki’seyesmetDurukti’seyesurgently.

Duruktilookedathim,andthennodded.“Whatifhishealthfailsagain?”“Youdon’trealisetheeffectSomahasonpeople.”“Whateffectdoesithave?”“Itissaid,it’lltakemenonthebrinkofmadness,forthepoweristoogreatfor

anordinaryindividual.”ButisKalianordinaryindividual?IfDuruktiwasanAsura,sowasKali. Thatwouldmake the prophecies…true. Asuraswere born to bring

chaosinthisworld.Itallfittedperfectly,intoaclearpuzzle.Durukti stood up. “Yourwordsmake no sense.My brother is strong-willed.

Andallthesethingsyouhear,theyarevillagetalk!Nothingelse.WhatIhadgivenhimwastestedbyshamansandnothazardousforanyone.Ikeepreservesforhim,forthefuture,andnothingcanstophimfromtakingit.Sostopbeingso…”

And Kalki lifted his chains, his body feeling the effect of it, his musclesstretchingmorethanitshouldashelookedattheroyalprincess.“Youareafool.Youdon’tseethetruth.Sciencehascorruptedyourbrain!”

Thatwasit.ThefieryblazinginDurukti’seyessignalledthatshedidn’twishtoentertain this conversation any further.Kalki saw her leave the cage and close itbehindher.

“Puthiminconfinementanddon’tlethimoutuntilheapologizesandwishestoseeme,inordertoworkforme.Iwanthimoutofhere.”

Kalkiknewwhattheconfinementmeant—being inadarkroom,tied insideabucket ofwater,withonly theheadout; until you felt your bones chilling.Kalkiknewhewouldn’tlikeanyofthatatall.

“Whatifhedoesn’tspeak,mylady?”thehesitantNagaasked.She lookedathimbrieflyonceagain.Thesoftness inher facewasspoiledby

heranger.“Lethimsuffer.Idon’tcare.”Butshedidcare;therewasaslighthintofitonherface,beforesheleftforthemaindoors.Atthat instant,Kalkirushedtotherailsthatwerejoinedwithhisfellowinmate.Hisvoicewasdesperate.

“Getamessagetothegovernmentofficial,Ratri.”TheNagascameforwardandgrabbedhimbyhis leashandtuggedhimhard.

Hefellback.“WhatshouldItellher?”beggedtheinmate.“Tellher,”hewasbeingpulledoutsideofthecellnowandheraisedhisvoice

asthetwoNagaspulledhimtowardsconfinement,“tellhertoknowthatperhaps—perhapsKali, thecommanderof Indragarh is theAdharmand if it is so…thattheDARKAGEHASBEGUN!”

Kalkiwas engulfed in completedarkness after that,with the last remnantsofthe light and the parting image of the horrified inmate playing in his mindrepeatedly.

ArjanhadneverbeentoIndragarh,unlikeKalkiwhohadhadhischanceofgoingthere. Arjan was never allowed in the first place, but most importantly, he alsodidn’twanttogo.Hewastoolazytoeschewthecomfortsofhishome,althoughthis often contradictedwith his inner desire to explore and see theworld.WhileKalkifeltsuffocatedinShambala,itwasArjanwholovedit.Butthatdidn’tmeanhewantedtostaythereforever.He intendedonseeingothercivilizationsthat laybeyondKeekatpur.

Andwhenhecameforthtothecity, itwasdifficultastheguardsdidn’tallowvillagerswhohadno cause tobe inside.Kripahad tousehis persuasionpowersthatwasbasicallyputtingsomecopperintheNaga’spocketsandsaying,“Mate,weareharmlessvillagerswhowanttoseethecitygrandeur.”Hehadjoinedhishands.“Pleaseletusgothrough.”

TheNaga had agreed.Arjan felt itwas awaste ofmoney. The resources onthemwerealreadyofafrugalamount;theyhadtofindhelpfromGuruVashishtawhile travelling to Indragarh. They had stopped at the Gurukul and to Arjan’ssurprise, Vashishta didn’t recall Kripa from any of the other Gurukuls. EveryAcharyawas interrelated fromsomewhere, yetVashishta,whowasnamedafter apopularGurufromLordRaghav’stime,didn’thavepriorknowledge.

Arjandidn’tpayheedto thisdevelopment,hishandrunningover thegroundand touching pebbles, when he saw Kripa sitting beside him. Arjan didn’t sayanything,thoughhewaspuzzledaboutBala’swhereabouts—perhapshehadbeengettingsupplies.

“Ihadasisteronce,”Kripasaid,“withanalmostsamenamelikeme.Kripi.Shewaseverythingtome.”Hehadcontinued.“Wewerebothquite,uh,playfulandaswegrewup,wechoseourlovesandwefoughtourbattles.”

“Whatbattle?”Hehadn’tsaidanything,choosingtoremainsilent.“I’mtellingyouallofthisbecauseIknowyoumissKalki,mate.”Hisgrayeyes

shoneundertheglintofsun.“Hemightnotbeyourbloodbrother…”“Ididn’tmeanthat,”Arjancuthimoff.“Iknow,Iknow.Angerforcesustospewvenom,butonemustneverforget

thatthewoundsfromvenomneverheal,”hesaid,almost lookingheartbrokenbysomememory.

Arjanhadnodded.“Whereisyoursister?”He looked down, as if embarrassed. “She passed away. Quite the curse for

peoplelikeme,”hegrinnedcheekily,buttherewasprofoundsadnessbehindit.Likeyou?Arjanarchedhisbrowsinpuzzlement.Butbeforehecouldevenask

aquestion,Kripacontinued.“Iknowyouaresorry,mate.I’veheardenoughsorryinmytimeandletmetellyou,there’snoonelogicoreffectbehindit.Noonecaresaboutit.That’stheworldwelivein.”

He stoodup, stretchinghis arms. “Whenone’s familydies, they show regret,buttheydon’tmeanit.Whenonegetshurt,theyshowworry,buttheydon’tmeanit.Indeed,it’sasadthought.”

“Thenwhydowecontinuetohopeandfightforsuchpeople?”Kripahad stopped. “Because I think regardlessof all thedarkness inpeople,

there’sstillapartofthemthat’sgood.AndI’velivedlongenoughtoseeeverybitof it. So yes,we fight for the little goodness in theworld;but I think as long asthere is a fight, thegoodnesswill liveon. Imight seem like a callousman,but Ibelieveinallthis.Itmakesmeglad,mate,forIliveinthisworldandsometimesit’sgoodtobejustglad.Cherishyourexistence,onceinawhile.There’snoharminit.”

Arjanhadgrinned.“Positivityisveryuncommonasapersonalitytraitofyours;Ipresumesomethinghasgoneamiss.Whatisitthattroublesyou?”

“I’vebeenavictimofanemotion,honestlyspeaking.Iwasangryonce;alongtime back and I did something I shouldn’t have.”He had swallowed. “I let theangerovercomemeandIletitinfluencemyactions.”

“Whatdidyoudo?”ArjannoticedafewtearsforminginKripa’seyes.Thiswasunbelievable!“I know you were angry,” he had drifted from the question that Arjan had

throwntowardshim,“youwereangryforlosing,forlettingpeopledown.YouwereangryatKalkiforstandingupinthatmeeting.Butwhenyouseeitfromhisside,you’llknowhemeantgoodness.Perhapssometimesthebestwaytoendtheangerinthisworldistojustlookatthingsfromtheotherperson’sperspective.”

Goodness, indeed.Arjan had learnt in the journey towardsGuruVashishta’sashram,whoKalkireallywasandwhathehadbeencapableofperforming—featsofgreatness.Hehadn’tbelievedallofthiswasevenpossibleinthisdayandage.Itseemedlikeasupernaturalimpossibilitytohim.

Presently, Arjan was travelling in the bustling city life of Indragarh, pushingthroughandbeing shovedby individuals.Balahadnoproblem in this regard.Attheverysightofhim,mostoftheciviliansjustturnedaroundordodgedpasthim.Arjan almost wondered if Bala was even a Manav. Perhaps, he came from theDanavTribe—the very large folks, whowere now extinct. They said thereweredescendantsofthem,stillroamingaround,buttherewasnoincontrovertibleproof,fortheyweretwonamesthatscaredeveryone—DanavsandAsuras.TheyweretheTribalsfromtheAncienttimeswhenLordIndrawasonIllavarti.

Arjanhadtrudgedovertothemainstreet.Therewasalotoftalkingfromeachside,withNagasinthecorner,eyeingthemclosely.Longbrightflagsflutteredoneach of the buildings, the air pungent with spices and an odour Arjan was notfamiliarwith.Therewerefirelampsspreadacrosstheentiresection.

“This should be the house of Lakshmi’s aunt, most probably,” Kripa waslookingthroughthecitymapthathehadstolenfromtheNaga’sbackpocket.ArjanknewKripawasalotofthings,buthadneverconsideredhimtobeathief.

Theywalkedtothebuildingandknockedonthedoor.Thedoorwasopened,buttheycouldn’timmediatelyseewhohadopenedit,untiltheylookeddownatthesoundofcoughing.Andhiseyesweredrawndowntoasmallman. Itwas funnyseeing aYakshaupfront.Hehadn’t seenone inquite awhile.Nagaswere exoticlooking,mostof themsculptedwithbrilliantangular facesandhandsomebodies.ButYakshas,ontheotherhand,weresmallanddirty.Theoneatthedoorwasn’thowever.

“Whoare you?”he spat.Hehad aweasel-likevoice. “Andwhy are youherewithagiant?”hesignalledoveratBala.

Arjan smiled. “We are looking for Lady Ratri.” He tried to peer in, but theYakshajustclosedthedoor.

Arjanknockedagain.“ShouldIjustbreakit?”Balaaskedfrombehind.“It’llbeeasier.Wecanthrow

thelittlemanoutsideandenter.”“Yeah,uh,andthenwecanforgetaboutaskingherforthefavour.”Thedoorwhippedopen.“Yes?Whoareyou?”askedtheYakshaagain.“MynameisArjanHari,thisisKripacharyaandthisBalaChandra.”“Allright,”theYakshanodded,“andwhyshouldIcareaboutwhoyouallare?”“Youjustaskeduswhoweare.”“Thatmeanthoware you related toLadyRatri,”he sighed. “Ididnotknow

yournames.Idon’tcarewhatyournamesare.Youarenobodiestome.Infact,youareworsethannobodiestome.Youdon’texistforme.Socanyouplease…”

“I’mbreakingthedoor!”Balaannounced,steppinguptohim.TheYakshagotscaredandthatwaswhenasmoothvoicecamefromtheback.

“KUMAR!”“Yes,madam?”“Whoisit?”“SomeonecalledArjanHari.”“Hari?”thevoicewaspiquedwithinterest.Therewasasoundoffallenbooks,

untilaladyappearedatthedoor,shovingthelittlemanbehind.“Byanychance,areyourelatedtoKalkiHari?”

“Yes,mylady,heismybrother,”Arjansmiled.RatricameforwardandgrabbedArjanbythethroat.Shehaddelicatebangles

danglingfromherwrists,kohlaroundhereyesandcurlyhairwrappedwithascarfover her head. Her entire body was covered with a golden robe and a shawlwrapped and secured using a silver brooch. But Arjan didn’t care about all thematerialistic things she was wearing since her fist was close to his face. And hedidn’tunderstandwhy.

“Your brother tricked my niece into bringing weapons. Where is he? Andwhereisshe?”

Arjanremainedstilluntilsheremovedherhandsfromhisthroat.“Ihavesomebadnews,mylady.”Arjannodded,feelingawkwardaboutbeing

themessengerofbadnews.

Sitting inside,Arjansippedontothedrinkshehadgiventothem.Itwasnotsura,soKripawasn’treallyfondofit.HehadtoldArjanthathehadbeensoberfor

quitesometimenowandhedidn’tlikehowitfelt.Ratri’shousewasfilledwithbooks;clearlyonecouldmistakeitforalibrarytoo.

ArjanlovedeverybitofitandinthetimeRatrididbroughtforthemsomethingtoeat,Arjanwentthroughasmanyashecould,selectingafewofthemandhopingtoborrow them.But as of now,Ratri didn’t feel like saying or doing anything. Shedidn’tcryeither.

“Shewantedtobelikeme,”Ratrisaid,finallybreakingthesilence.“Shewantedtoworkinthelibrary.”

Arjannodded.“Didyouseeher?Wasshegivenafuneralatleast?”“Wecouldn’t.Wehadto leaveoutofcompulsion,”Kripa lied.“Thevillagers

were gathering the bodies and they sent us to the city to knowmore about theadministrativemachinationsandhowonecouldseekredressfromtheCouncilforthisone-sidedslaughter.”

Ratri nodded. “Indeed. I can’t help you in that if you think I’ll be of anyguidance.Ihavebeenshiftedtolibrarydutyfromhospitality,soIapologize.”

“Uh, that’s all right, we just wanted to bear the news to you.” Arjan leanedforward.“WiththeinclusionoftheTri…”helookedatKumar,whohadn’tnoticedhisslipup,“theroyals,thingshavechanged.Moredictatorsmeanmoreterror.”

“Yes.EvenVedantahasforgottenhisdutiesastherulerofIndragarh,”grittingherteeth,Ratrisaid.“Howdidyouallsurvivethebattle?”

“We,uh,improvised,mylady,”grinnedKripa.“You are a dirty, ridiculous lookingman. Are you really anAcharya?” asked

Ratri.“Guilty as a murderer,” Kripa stood up and bowed. “Though I think the

comparisonwasn’treallycorrect.”Ratriplacedherdrinkback.Shestoodupandannounced,“Youarecapableof

survivingthen.I’msurethereasonyouarehere is tofreeyourbrother,andspitetheoneswhodestroyedyourvillage.Workwithmeandyoushallachieveboth,butwithpatienceandtime.”

“Uh,Idon’tthinkyoushouldsayallofthisinfrontof…”“Kumar?”Ratri slappedhimon thebackgood-naturedly.“He’s a sweetheart.

He’sloyaltomeandnottoKuvera.”“Whyisthat?”Kripaasked.“Because,oldman,”Kumarsaid,leavingRatri’shold,andwalkinguptoKripa

andlookingathimwithanangry,contortedface,“notallTribalsarefanaticsabouttheirkings.Someofthemhavetheirindividualityaswell.”

Ratriclappedherhands.“Allrightthen!Thatisgreat.Wehaveateamnow.”“Andwhatarewesupposedtodo?ShouldwebashtheskullsoftheNagas?”

Balaasked,scratchinghishead.“Violence is not the answer,” Ratri said, “even Lord Govind managed to

outsmarteveryone in theMahayudhwhenhekilledhisenemies throughwit thanhisbrawns.”

Arjansmiled.“Ididn’ttakeyouforareligiouswoman.”“AndIamnot.Butthatdoesn’tmeanyoucan’ttakeinspirationfromamyth.”

Ratrismiledathimback.“Mydearsweet lady, that isall right,butwhatdoyouplan todo?Theentire

city is against us and they are big in number while we are…”Kripa trailed off.“Howwouldwestopthem?”

“Ihaveagirlworkingforus.Shecanhelp.Idon’tknowwheresheisthough.Shehasbeengettingtardynowadays,”Ratrimused.“Butdonotworry;Isupposewecanworkthroughit.Wehavetospreadhateagainstthestateandonceweputtheseedofdoubtineveryone’smind,wewillhavearevolutiononourhands.”

Propaganda.Arjanhadreadaboutit;fightingagainstthestatebyspreadingthetruth, letting people know theywere following thewrong leader. But thesewerebarbarictimesandonedidnotknowwhetherthatwouldevenwork.Buthehadaroofoverhishead,acupofhotdrinkinhishandandlike-mindedpeoplearoundhim.Fornow,hehad tosettle for thisplan,whilehe thoughtofanotherplan toreleaseKalkiandleaveforthemountains.

ArjantookKripatothesidewhileBalasatuncomfortablyonthesmallcushion.“Thisisallright,butiftheSomasyousayareout,thatmeanswehaveasituationofAdharmwalkingamongus,right?”

“Yeah,Imean,itwon’tbesofast,but…”Thedoorwasknockeduponatthemoment.ArjanpaidscantheedasKumar

scurriedtowardstheentrance.“Wecanusethewoman’shelpwhilewethinkofabetterplanoutthere.With

her,wecanwalktheroadsfreely,findwhatweneedtoknowtoescapeandgettoKalki.”

“Youdon’thaveanyplansasofnow?”Arjanclenchedhisteeth.Kripanoddedhishead.“Ihaveaplan.But thatdemands the locationof the

prisonandthelocationoftheSomas.”“YouwanttousetheSomas?”“Yeah,wellsortof,”shruggedKripa.“Theyweretheverythingsweweretryingtorunawayfrom,”hepaused,“why

wouldwegotowardsit?”“Becausetheimprovisedplandictatesit.”“It’snotimprovisedifyouhaveplannedit,”Arjancorrectedhim.“Well,thenjusttheplan,”hegrinned.Arjan shookhis head.Whatever,Kripahad in hismindwasobviously a bad

idea.Butasofnow,Arjandidn’thaveagoodonetocounterhim.Ratricamebackintotheroomwitharolledoutparchmentinherhand.“Ihave

amessagefromyourbrother,Arjan.”Arjancameforward,hisheartthumping.“Whogavethistoyou?”“Anurchin.”Cantheybetrusted?“What isAdharm andwhat is theDarkAge? I’ve read it somewhere…” she

begantocontemplate,assheparaphrasedthemessage.ArjanlookedatKripaandwhispered,“Allright,whateveryourplanis,weneed

toworkitoutfast.Thisisalreadynotgoingwellforus.”

When not working and scheming against the ones he held the province ofKeekatpurwith,VedantawouldsitdownclosetothebedofhisdaughterUrvashiand tellher storiesofheroes andvillains.But today though, shehadbeenasleepwhenhehadenteredwithafirelampinonehand.Occasionallyitwouldbeaguardwhowouldcomealong,holdingthelightforhim,whereverhewentatnight.Butnotwhen itcametoUrvashi.Shewasschooledathomeandwasby far theonlyoneprotectedbythewallsofthisfort.Tenguardswouldstandoutsideandnonewoulddaretohurther.

Half thereasonhehadgivenuptoKaliwasbecauseofUrvashi.Shewashislittleprincess,withabeautifulfaceandagoldenheart,rightlylikehermother.Andhedidn’twanthisegotowreckherlife.ItwouldbemoreunderstandabletoworkwithKalithantofighthimandtolose.Youcanhaveyourcityagain,butonceyouloseyourdaughter,thereisn’tgoingback.

Today, she was already asleep. He came inside and stood there, smiling.Perhaps,shedidn’twantastorytobetoldorperhapsshewastired.Notonlywasheeducatingherthroughbooks,butalsoaboutwarfare;abouthowtorideahorseandhandleasword.Itwasimportanttosurviveinthisworldandroyaltyisafickledisease.Thetitleandassociatedprivilegecameandwent.Whatiftomorrowitwas

robbedfromVedanta?Urvashishouldknowhowtogooutthereandfight likeawarrior.

“Father?”asoftvoicesqueaked.“Iapologizefortroublingyou;Ithoughtyouweren’tasleepsoIcame…”She interjected.“I’myourdaughter.Youdon’tneedtoapologizetome.”She

shiftedon thebed, turning toVedanta.Shewas just thirteenyearsof age. In thelightof thecandles,her facehad ignitedand resembledsomeonewhomVedantaloveddearly.

“Youremindmesomuchofyourmother.”Shestretchedagrin.“Tellmeabouther.”Vedantashookhishead.“Anothertime,sweetheart.”“It’s always like that with you,” she frowned, “you always escape from

somethingthathashappenedinthepast,father.Neverletyourfailuresovercomeyourpresentorevenfuture.”Shecameupandleanedagainsttheheadboard.

“Wherehaveyoulearntthatfrom?”“Fromthesamestoriesthatyoupreach.”Vedantachuckled.Hewascaughtinthesnareofhisownwords.Heswivelled

his head, the smell of a plant coming to his nose, and he knewwhat itwas.Hestood up and walked to the plant that was close to the window, with its leavesunfurling intoa lotus. Itwas lightgreen incolour.Hebeganto touch it tenderly.“I’mglad youhavenotmistakenly lost thisone.”Urvashiwould clumsily lose theplantshewouldgiveher.Hewasnotanidiot.Heknewshedidn’tlikethegifts,butshedidn’trealisetheirvalue,sohedidn’tblameherentirely.

“Yeah,itdoesn’tsmellasbadasthelastone.”“It’ssupposedtogetridoftheevilspirits.”Vedantapattedtheplantgently.“Yourlovefortheselittlethingsiskindofscary.”Urvashigrinned.“Asifyoudon’thaveyourownstrangehobbies.”Vedantasignalledoveratthe

wooden figurines she loved carving with her pocket knife. “We all have ourpassions,fortheyestablishourcharacter,thewayweareinreality.”

Hewalkedbacktothechair.“Don’tyoulosetheplant,child.Ihavebroughtitforaspecific reason.Wearenot living in luxurynow.Infact,weare in timesofturbulence.Weneedtobecareful.Eachstepshouldbewellthoughtout.”

Urvashinodded.“Don’tworry,itwillbe.Iambeingcareful.WhendoyouplantogetridoftheTribals?”

“Soon.”VedantahadexpressedhisdoubtsearliertoUrvashi,abouthowhewasannoyedbytheTribalinclusion.Buthedidn’ttellherthathewasworkingwithoneofthemnow.“Youquestionmelikeyourmother.”

“Wellsinceshehaspassed,thereneedstobesomeonetotakecareofthemanofthefort.”

Vedantasmiled.Hehuggedhertightlywhileshewrappedherarmsaroundhisframe.Theyremainedlikethatforawhile,untiltherewasaknockonthedoor.

“Whoeveritis,notnow!”Vedantaroared.“Mylord,”itcameasawhisper,asifafraid.Vedantasighed.HelookedatUrvashi,mouthed“Iloveyou”andwithabitter

frownmaskinghis face,hemadehiswayoutside.Onceoutside,he saw themanwaspantingandsweating,clearlyflusteredbysomething.Butworstofall,hissilverbreastplatewassprayedwithblood.

“Whathappened?”“Mylord,”theguardsman’seyeswidened,“it’sabloodbath.”

Vedanta stood over the blood that had splashed over the floor. He wasstandinginsideabrothelthatwouldbeactiveatnight,butinthemorning,itwouldbejustanotherinn.Vedantawalkedaround,seeingalloftheknownfaceswiththeirthroatsslit.

The manager whimpered behind Vedanta, following him wherever he went.Vedantaenteredeveryroom,whereitwasthesamedisturbingimageofmenwiththeirthroatsslit.Allthepillowswerenowdrenchedinblood.Thefloorwasstainedbythebloodyfootstepsoftheprostitutes.Andthesmell,bytheGods,wasterrible.Vedantahadashawlwrappedaroundhisnoseashewatchedallofit.

Theyweren’t justanymen.Theywerehisministers,andhisSenapati.Hehadnooneanymore,orat least thatwas thefirst thought thatcrossedhismind.Hechosenottodwellonit.Heclosedthedoorbehindhimandputtheshawldown,breathingheavily.

“Whywere they in abloodybrothel?”he askedhis guardsman.Themanagerwasattheside,notsayinganythingexceptrockingbackandforthontheballsofhisfeet,clearlystillinshock.“Whatintheworldweretheycelebrating?”

Theguardsmandidn’tutteraword,butthemanagerdid.“Kingship,theycomeofteningroupstopartyandenjoywithmygirls.”Vedanta couldn’t believe hisministers were partaking in an illegal activity. It

wasagainstthemoralsofthesocietyhehadupheldforsolong.WhyhadhebuilttemplestoLordVishnuandLordShivaandLordIndraifhehadtohaveescortsontheotherend,dallyingwithimmorality?Thethoughtdisgustedhimtothecore.

Hefeltcrippledbynot just theirdeaths,butby theirdishonesty towardshis rule.Thevery fact theydid itmeant theydidn’t respectVedanta as a ruler in the firstplace.

“Girls?Theydidn’tseeanyonewhodidit?”“Kingship,Ihavenotasked.Theyarequitetraumatizedaboutwhattheyhave

seen.”Five ministers dead and he was worried his bloody prostitutes were

traumatized. Grabbing him by the collarbone, Vedanta pulled him towards him.“Nowbring themand line them infrontofme.Iwant toseeeachoneof them,rightnow.”

The manager nodded instantly, scampering off. Waiting diligently, Vedantacame forwardwith his five guards. The prostitutes were lined up. Theywere allwearingskimpyclothes,withawhiteclotharoundtheirbodythatbarelyconcealedtheirchest.Hehadneverseensomuchskinonawomanexcepthiswife.Shewastheonlywomanhereallyloved,inandout.

Hewalked forward, slowly,watching eachof them intently.Hewas trying tostudytheflickeringemotionsthatcrossedtheirfaces.Andhestoppedatone.

“Whatdidyousee?”heaskedher.“I…uh…”thewomanhada shiftymien, as if tryingat all costs toavoid the

questions.Therewassomethingoffabouther.Vedantashookhisheadashegrabbedthewoman’shair.Themanagergasped.

Itwasafake.Hetosseditontheground.Standinginfrontofhim,wasamanindisguise.“Sellyourselfthewayyouwantto,it’syourchoice.Butdon’tbeashamedofitbyhidingbehindawoman’simage.”

He had seen in other cities when he had travelled, rulers of his kindcomplaininghowtheyhadorderedforawomanatabrothelbutfoundaman.Andfor these men who sold themselves, it was their own preference. It was surelyagainsttherulesoftheGods,butthoseruleswerewrittenalongtimeback.Thingsweredifferentthen,andVedantadidn’tmindallofitnow.ButprostitutionwasstillillegalinKeekatpur.

“Youallstoodtherewhilemyministersweremurdered,onebyone,andyouare saying, you didn’t see anything.” His voice had an impassive quality, almostshrivelling others with the sheer menace it held. “Either you speak now or thisbrothelshutsdownandyouallgotoprisonforsolicitingsex.”Hewoulddothateven if theywould tellhimthe truth.But thatwasagood leveragehecouldplayaroundwithrightnow.

The manager was crying. He was a wimp. But then, there was hesitance.

Vedantawalkedtothewomanandstoodthere.“Yes?Youwanttosaysomething?”“Allofithappenedwhileweweresleepingalongsidethem.”Thewomanhada

waywithherwords.Shewasafraidtolookathim,butherwordsshowednofear.“Ithadseemedlikethepersonwaswaitingforustofallasleep.”

“Allofyouweresleeping?”“Sleeping,yes,”theysaidinunison.Vedantanarrowedhiseyes.Hisministerswerecalculatedlymurdered,perhaps

givenadrug-lacedwinetomakethejobeasier.“Hasanyoneseen,byanychance?”Ahandwentup.Vedantawalkedtoit.“Yes?”Thewomanhadblueeyes,andwasperhapsaNaga.“IwokeupearlierthanI

wassupposedtoandIsawthefigure.”Thisissomething.“Yes,pleasetellme.”Hewaited,curiosityburninghismind.“Thepersonsawme…Erm…anditran,rightthroughthewindow.”“Whatwasitwearing?”“Ashawlwrappedaroundtheface;itwasallcovered.”“Anything in particular that stood out?” Vedanta waited while the woman

concentrated really hard, her mouth pursing and her eyes squeezing tight incontemplation.

“Yes,”shesighed,hereyeswideningwithasenseofrealisation.Vedanta’sheartthumped.This could be a little clue to find the culprit. “The person,whoever itwas,wasinahurry.Whenitleaptfromthewindow,Iwasabletoglanceatthehairduetothewind.”

“Yes?”“ItwasthehairIcouldsee.”“What’ssospecialaboutthat?”“My kingship,” she said, “it was silver in colour andwe all know, notmany

silver-hairedpeoplewalkinthiscity.”

Lord Kali didn’t really worry about finding Chief Martanja. Like every otherRakshas,hewouldbesitting inhisbuilding,orperhapsworkinghisway throughthestreet,marchinghissoldiers.Butmostlikely,hewouldbeinatavern,drinkingsura andenjoying the little things in life.KokoandVikoko foundhimwasted insuchanestablishment.

Kali entered, seeing the man reeking of liquor. For a Rakshas, this was asurprisingsight.RakshasweredisciplinedmenfromtheSouth,workingtheirwayup to the top. They were quite extraordinary and yet the paramilitary chief ofRakshaswashere,inthisstate.Surely,ifRaktapafoundout,Martanjawouldhaveahard time explaining his lackadaisical attitude to him. Unlike Martanja, Raktapadidn’thaveabadday.Hisbaddayswerethegooddaysandhisgooddayswerehisbetterdays.ItwasperhapstheoneeyethattroubledMartanja.

Amanwhoiswoundedseesmorefollyinhimselfthanamanwhohasnowounds.At the sound ofKali’s boots,Martanja fidgeted, but he continued to remain

half asleep. Kali looked at his guards, who weren’t drinking, but rather kneelingbehind him. Kali always liked this kind of respect, for it gave him a boost ofconfidenceandmadehimfeelgoodabouthimself.

Kalisatontheoppositechair,onelegontopofanother.Hedidn’tdoanything,

butsattherewatchingtheman.Drinkingmadepatheticlosersoutofthestrongestofmen.Thatwasonereasonwhydespiteallhisothervices,hekeptdrinksatanabeyance.

KokocameforwardandshookMartanja.Hewasdumbfoundedforamoment,beforeherealized itwasKali’spersonalguardwhohadthetemerity towakehimup.He frantically came tohis feet, spilling thewine in theprocesswhenhe sawKali.

“Sorry,”heblinkedhard,“Iwasuh…”“It’sallright,”Kaliwavedathimwithafriendlygrin.“Cheer,don’tworry.We

alldeservearest,right?”Martanjawatchedhimforamoment,asifLordKali,theUsurperofIndragarh,

hadreallysaidwhathethoughthehadjustsaid.“Iwasill,awhilebackandIrested,andI’mfinenow.”“What’swrongwithyourhair?”Kalifeltangersurginginsidehim.Nooneshouldtalkabouthishair,notevena

mildchiefofa stupid tribe.Hehada fewsparse tuftsgrowingunevenlyoverhisscalp, while his face was getting duller by the day. “It’s my uh…it’s my illness,nothingelse.I’llbefine.”

Martanjamusthavesensedhisinsecurity,forheleanedforward.“Youknow,Iheardwhathappenedtoyou.”“Rumorsarepoison,surelyyouknowthat?”“Butifit’strue,therumours,mylord,thenIampositiveyouwerepoisoned,”

Martanjasmiledfoolishly,lookingatKali.“NowI’mnotpointinganythingout,mylord.”Hehadawayof speaking,hiswordsslippingandhalf-eaten,not themostcoherentwordsKali had ever heard someone speak. “But youmust reallywatchyourback.There’sasayinginEelam.Itgoeslike:thewinnersoftenhavearrowsintheirbacksfromtheveryonestheylove.”

Kalinodded.“I’veheardthat.That’swhyIhavethem.”HesignalledatKokoandVikoko,whostraightenedatbeingmentionedbytheirLord.

“Loyalists,”Martanjanoddedback.“AndwhyhaveIbeenhonouredwithyourcompany,mylord?WhatkindofdeedhaveIdone,goodorbad?”

Kali pulled out a small vial from the pocket of his tunic, which he sipped.“Whatisthis,really?”hesignalledatthevial.

Martanjatookthevialofblueliquid.“AndwhydoyouaskahumbleRakshas,mylord?”

“Because,” Kali leaned forward, his fingers clasping together, his face halfhiddenintheshadowsoftheroom,“Igottoknowwhatyoutwodid.Anditwas

notnice.Duruktiisanimpulsivechild.Sheseesterrorandsheseeksasolution.Shesaw her brother probably dying and she tried to help, regardless of theconsequences.But that isn’t theproblem.No.Theproblem is theveryplace shesought for the remedy. Now,” he picked up the vial, studying the glinting blueliquid.“Iwanttoknowwhatthisis,thatishelpingme.Shesaysit’sanextractfromaherb.ButIdon’tbelieve it. I feel it’s somethingelse. It’s somethingoutof thisworld,afterall.”

Martanjachidedhim.“Andwhydon’tyouaskyoursister?”Kali couldn’t. He felt embarrassed about doubting her and showing his

suspicion. Shewould hate him for that.Ever since the beginning, their love hadbeenunconditionalandnothinghadcomeinbetween it. Itwas justherandhim,againsttheworld.

“You are nervous around her, my lord. I wonder why, she’s just a woman.Whatmakesyousonervousaroundawoman?”

“She’smysister.”“Don’t really matter in our culture,” Martanja shrugged. “Wives, sisters,

prostitutes;allaresameforus.”Rakshashad anopen relationshipwith theirwomen, for their ancestorswere

incestuousinnature.“It’sthementhatcarrytheburdenofthisworld,mylord,”hegrinned.“I’msuretheydoquitewellwiththatsenseofburden,justlikeyou.”MartanjastoppedgrinningandwatchedKaliincontempt.“Youwanttoknow

whatthisis.Itisindeedoutofthisworldandfromwhatmymensay,it’sfromtheGods.Thisisanectarofmagicalproportions.Incorrectdosagescanmakeyougomad.Whydidn’tyougetaffected?”

“Howdoyouknowallofthis?”“Amanwhohelps someoneshouldknoweverythingaboutwhohe’shelping

andwhathe’shelpingin,”Martanjaexplained.“Andyoudidn’tthinkofevertakingit?”Martanjasmiled.“Idon’tknow.IneverthoughtIwasallowed.”“Whenhasiteverstoppedyou?”Helaughed.“Mylord,youunderstandmetrulywell.”“You didn’t use it because Durukti made sure to never let it be found by

anyoneelse.Shehashiddenitsomewhereinthecityandyoudon’tknowaboutit.Youhave tried searching for the elixir and the futile attemptshave led youhere,where you imagine the suras are the elixir and you drink it up,” Kali explained.“WhatifItellyouIfoundthewarehousewhereshehaskeptit?”

“Howdidyou?”“My informants are better than your men.” Kali signalled again at his twin

generals.Martanjalookedatthemwithdelight.“Youknow,Iwouldreallylovetoknow

howyouallmeteachother.I’msureitisagreatstory.”“Weareallapartofthestory’snarrative,chief.”Kalismiled.

Standing in the reservoir,whichsmelledoforeandfossils,Kalimadesure tostationtheguardsaroundtheentrancetothewarehouse.TheSomas,astheywerecalled,wererighthere,underhisfist,unknowntoDurukti.Eachstonehadaroughexterior,withabluegelinsideit,shiningandcastingbrilliantkaleidoscopicimagesonthewallsaroundhim.

Martanja walked, touching the rocks. Kali stood there, at his one place, hishandsattheback,lettingMartanjaenjoyingthepleasuresofthisdiscovery.

“I’mgladtobehere.”“I’mgladthatyouareglad,”Kaliresponded.Martanjaturnedaroundatthatstatement,blinkinghiseye.“Whyareyoudoing

this,mylord?”Kali had a straight face. “These rocks, they have helped me to regain my

strength.Ithoughtitwouldhelpyouwithyoureyes.”“Oh,theyaregone,pulledoutforever.”“Nothingalittlemagiccan’tsolve.”“Youbelieveinmagicnow?”Kalicameforward.“Ibelieveinalotofthingsnow.It’slikethishasopenedmy

mind to theuniverse.NowtheexistenceofGodsandGoddesses, theyappeal tomeratherthanrepellingme.”

“Allofthisischarming,mylord,butIseekhonestyinyourwordsandIfindnone.It’shardtobelieve,thatoutofsheergoodwill,youarehelpingmetobringmysightback.”

“Goodwillissorarethatwhenoneintendstodoit,youthinkit’ssomesortofchicanery.”

“Wellsaid,”Martanjanodded.“Sotellme,whatisitthatyoureallywantfromme?”

KaliandMartanjastoodtenmetersaway,theirfacesonoppositesidesofeachotheras theycontinued towatcheachotherunblinkingly.Martanjawaited foran

answer.Kali didn’t seem to be in a hurry.Martanja knew he didn’t do it out ofgoodwill.Hewasn’trunningacharityofcourse.Buthecouldn’tquitestateit inamannersoblasé.

“Allright,RaktapaisnothereandIneedsupport.IhaveenemiesintheofficeandIneedsomeoneIcantrust.Inreturnforyourservices,you’llberewardedwiththeelixir,aswellasgoldfrommytreasury.”

“Herewego,”helaughed,comingforward.“Ofcourse,youcantrustme.IamonyoursideaslongasI’mgettingwhatIneed.”

“Ijustgaveyouwhatyouneed.”TheRakshashadaslygrin.“Allright,I’min.”Kalismiled,astheyshooktheirhandstocementthedeal.“Andforapersonwhoyoutrustnow,Ishouldtellyou.Bewareoftheprisoner

yoursisterhasbroughtin.”Prisoner?Archinghisbrows,Kali’smouthtightened.“Oh dear, I suppose she hasn’t told you that either.”Martanja tappedKali’s

shoulders.“Ithinkit’stimeforagood,longconversationwithher,forshefanciesthevillageboy.”

Therewassomethingaboutherface.Italwaysglimmeredundertheshadowsofthefirelamp.Hereyeshaddarkkohl,andanambercolouroverhercheeksseemedtohighlightheraristocraticcheekbones.Kalistoodthereatthedoor,hesitatingforamomenttoenterherbedroom,butthendidso,fearingnothing.Hehadtostopthefear thatwaskillinghim.Hefeltheowedher toomuch,buthereallydidn’t.Sheowedhim.Shelovedhimbecausehehadprotectedherfromthefire,sacrificinghisothersiblingsforthesakeofher.

Shehadwornalongnightrobe.Intheshadowofthesemi-darkroom,hereyeslifted and saw him. Kali noticed her expression changed. She didn’t turn. Shesmiledatthepolishedbrassplate,lettingKaliknowshewasgladhewashere.

Kali walked to her and his fingers slowlymassaged her shoulders, tighteningaroundthemashebegan,“Howareyoudoingtoday?”

“Interesting,”shesaid.Theybothsharedglancesonareflectivesurface,asiftheywereafraidtolook

at each other directly. They were afraid of facing each other with their truecountenances.

“DidItellyouthatatthetimewewerehomelessandwewerehungry,yousaidtomethatyouhadprayedforus?”

Therewasahintofsurprisethatcrossedherface.“Really?Me?Outofallthepeople?”

Kalismiled.“Yes,ofcourse.”Hepaused.“Youwereabelieveronce.Ifeelweall are believers when we are young. It’s when we grow that we realise faith isoverrated.”

“WhatdidIprayabout?”Sheappliedsomecreamoverherarms.Kaliknewitwasanexpensivecream,foundinthebazaarhewasattackedin.Ashame,forhewas not able to find out who that card reader was. She had possessed an eeriecapability of frighteningKali tohis bones.But shedid tell himone thing.Therewouldbepowerandhewasnottobecorruptedbyit.Perhaps,thepowerfromtheso-called Somas iswhat the old lady told him about.And perhaps, the part thatworriedhimthemostwasaboutsomeoneclosetohimwho’dbetrayhim.Woulditbeher?

No.Itcouldn’tbe.Shewastooloyal.Butthen,everyonewasfickle.Bewareoftheprisoner.Shefanciesthevillageboy.He didn’t know who this boy was, but the very thought of him brought a

vitriolicemotionwithinhim.Hefelthis lungsburning.Hewasfeelingsomethingheneverfelt.

Jealousy.Andso,todissipatethefeeling,hetookthecreamfromher,almostsnatching

it. To her astonishment, he began to apply it on her. There was a flicker ofconfusionthatcrossedherface,followedbydiscomfort.

“Whatiswrong?”Kali didn’t listen.His eyes hadwidened, as he applied the cream, his fingers

circling tenderlyoverher skin. “Youprayed about us, aboutourwell-being.YousaidtotheGodsthatweshouldgetwhatwedeserve,andthatisagoodlife.AndwhenItoldyouthatprayerswereworthless,andthattheonlyoneyoushouldlistentowastheoneyoulove,yousaidthatthepersonwasme.”

Durukti’sbrowarched.“Ithinkthat’senoughcream.”Kali grabbed her by the shoulder as she stood up and made her sit down

forcibly.Herjawclenched,andhereyeswidenedashebegantomassageherhead,his eyesmeetinghers, his teeth gritting.He slowly roundedhis fingersdownherneck, almost in a chokingmanner; running it through her long hair and glidingthemacrosshertemples.

“Stopit.”Hegrabbedherbytheface,whilehisotherarmwrappedaroundherwaist,slowlyreachingforherbosom.“What…”Hisfingersenteredhermouth,but

shedidn’tbitethem.Perhapsshelikedit.Perhapsshewasuncomfortable.Heknewwhat he was doing was wrong, but he had to do it. It was like performing abrother’sduty.

Heletgoofherfaceandhistwohandsgrabbedherneck.“Youwentbehindmybackandyoubroughtmycure.Iloveyouforthat,sister.Butthenyoubringavillager and youdestroy an entire village in theprocesswithout tellingme.Thenyouhidetheverycurethat’shelpingme.Whatsortofadoublegameisthis?Youthink you can repeatedly lie tomy face…”hewas sweating in cold rage, “and Iwouldignoreitbecauseyouaremysister?”

She tried to resist him by flailing her limbs. She was trying to grasp forsomething,but shecouldn’t.Her facehadgone red.Kali cameforward;hisheadslowly touching her shoulders as he kissed them lightly and looked at her in themirroredsurface.“Youmistookmyloveforyouassubmissiontoyouractions.Butnever underestimatemy silence formy kindness, because I’mback andnot evenyoucanhidethingsfromme.Ifyoueverdaretoconcealfactsaboutanything.”Shewaschokingandhereyeswerefrantic,buthedidn’tcare.“Iwillforgetthatyouaremysister.”

Heletgoofherneck.Shecollapsedonthefloor,coughingandwheezing,asKaliwalkedbacktoher

bedandstraightenedhimselfoutcasually,whileshetooktimetocatchherbreath.When shewasdone,withveinsprotruding fromher temples, she shot a lookofcontempttowardshim,tryingherbestnottolethimfeelherwrathfulgaze.

“You…don’t…trustme?”Shemassagedherneck.Kalishrugged.“Tobefair,Idon’ttrustanyonerightnow.Sonothingpersonal

againstyou.”“I’mtryingtousetheboyforour…”Kaliliftedhisfingers.“Youdon’tturnhimagainstus.Ineveraskedyoutohave

anally.”“I just thoughtwith our friends turning to enemies,wewouldneed a strong

soldieronourside.”“What’sworsethanconcealment?Thefactthatyouthinkyouneedsomeone’s

helpwhen you should know your brother ismore than capable of it,”Kali said,leavingtheroom.

Butheknewwherehewasgoing.Hewasgoingtomeetthevillageboy.

Hewalked across the corridor of the prison.Many inmates came out to seewhoitwas,pastmidnight,andwhentheysawitwasKali,theywhimperedandfellback.Oneofthemdidn’t.HeusedthechoicestofwordstoabuseKali.

Kali walked to the inmate. He had a strange locket. The inmate lolled histonguearound.“Idon’tgetscaredbyyou,outsider!Yourepelme!”Hestuckhistongueoutasagestureofindecency.

AndKalididwhatanypersonwoulddoinhisposition.He pulled out the tongue, ripping it with ease.Kali tossed it onto the floor,

whilethemanfellback,wailinginpain.KalicouldhearKokogulpingandVikokoelbowinghim.“Shouldwe,uh,mylord,sendhimtotheinfirmary?”Kalilookedattheweepingimbecile.“Nah,Ilikehimthatway,”hegrinnedas

hewalkedfurther.Theprisonguards,shrivelledbackalmost,astheyledKalitothedungeon.The

prisonwasmoreconfusingandzigzaggedthantheordinary lanesofIndragarh.Itwas surprising how Vedanta had crafted it. But then, Vedanta didn’t believe incapitalpunishment,butinreformation;untilKalihadcomeandchangedit.Hehadseen too many men, too corrupted. He knew a punishment like imprisonmentwouldn’tdoanything toan individual. Justbecauseacriminalhadbeenpunishedoncedidn’tmeanhewouldn’tcommit thecrimeagain.Hewould.Itwasthewaytheywere.Theyallwere.

Hereachedtheconfinementwheretheso-calledvillageboywasheldup.Whatwas so great about the boy thatDurukti fancied him? There was no one in theentireworldthatDuruktilookeduptoromantically.Whatwassospectacularabouthim?Apangof jealousyand insecurityrose insidehim.Washetoohandsomeortoonobleorjusttoonaïve?Butworse,wasthejealousyKalifaced,evenhealthy?Asabrother,heshouldbeprotective.Notjealous.Itwasanoddchoiceoffeeling.Buthequelledit.

The cage opened. And he saw there was a lad sitting in a bucket of water,shivering,naked.TheNagascameforwardandhewaspulledupfromthebucket,his hands and legs tied to an iron chain, multiple ones, as if he wouldn’t berestrained by just one.Whywould that be?Thatwas odd for a villager.Hewasbrought to thefrontandhehadabrown loinclothwrappedaroundhisprivates.Hewastoomuchinpain,suchthathedidn’tevenmanagetolookupforawhileand when he did, Kali noticed nothing. He didn’t look special. Sure, he had amuscularbodyandwastall,toweringwelloverhim.Butwhatwassospecialabouthim?

“You are the prisoner everyone talks about.” Kali walked, circling him asmultipleNagasheldtheboybythechains,oneholdinghimbytheneck.

Theboydidn’tsayanything.“Yourname,whatisit?”Theboydidn’tanswer.“Doesn’t matter, though, I’ll know of it soon enough,” Kali sniggered. “My

sister,she’sfondofyouandthinksyoucanhelpus.”Atthatmoment,theboy’sheadlifted.Helookedthroughthewethairthatfell

overhisface.“YouareKali?”Kalicameforward,handsonhiships,raisinghiseyebrows,oratleastwhatwas

leftofthem.“Ah,youknowmyname.”Hepaused,laughingtohimself.“It’sfunnyhowmy sister thinks, after destroying your village, that youwill help us. That isridiculous,but that is exactlywhat apersonwho ismeddlingwith thingsbeyondherstationthinks.She’syoung.Hormones,youknow.Shejustwantstofindawaytosaveyoufromthetrial.”

Heimpassivelywatchedtheboy.“Butnothingcansaveyoufromthehanging.Infact,IthinkIhavedecidedtonotjustletyourexecutionbeapublicpunishmentformysistertoreallyunderstandhermistakeandrealiseshedoesn’thavetherighttolikeanyoneshewishesto,butalsotohookupafalsetrial.I’llletyouhaveatrial.Ifyousucceedintellingmewhyyoudidwhatyoudid,whichiskillingtheofficialsofthestate,youarefreetogoanddowhateveryouwantto.Iseeprisonisreallyaffectingyour…”

The boy instantly moved his hand, toppling the Naga that held him. Thegroundshook,thewaterinthebucketspilledastheboycameforward,hismusclestightening,theveinsonhisfaceappearingmoreprominently.

“You are special, indeed.” Kali stood inches away from the boy. They wereclose, really close, but the boy couldn’t come closer toKali.Hewas tied down.“Verymuchso.Ilikethat.Andhowdoyoudothis?”

“Iamcomingforyou,Kali.Iam,”theboyspat.“Youcan’thaveatrialaboutmebecausemortalslikeyoudon’thavethepowertoconductatrial.It’sonlyLordVishnuwhojudgesusandforgivesus.”

Kali scoffed. “A religious fanatic aswell?What have I done to deserve suchhatredfromyou?I’mexcitedthough.Please,please,doso.LettheGodofallGodshaveatrialforyou,perhapswhenyou’llgoupordown.Buttill thetimeyouarehere,”Kali’ssmilevanished,“IamyourGodandyourLordVishnu.”Hespat indisgust.“AndI’llshowyouhow.”

HesnappedhisfingersattheNagas.“Kneel.”Theboywaspusheddown.Hetriedreallyhardnotto,buthewascontinually

lasheduntilhewasleftwithnochoicebuttodoso.

“See?”Kali patted the head of the boywho growled at him like a dog.Kaligrinned. He liked troubling the innocent. The boy was misguided, perhaps fedwrongthingsaboutKali,abouthowhewasandwhatheislike.Thus,thehatred.

“Puthimbackintheprison.Ifhestayslikethis,hewon’tsurvivetillthetrialandIwanthimtobeoutthere, intheopen,forDurukti tosee;howherchoiceshaveledtothispoorboy’sdeath.Iwanthertoseeandregret;realizethatyoudon’tgobehindyourbrother’sback,”hespoketohimselfmorethantoothers,lostinhisthoughts,beforeshakinghimselfup.

Ashemadehiswaytothedoor,heheardtherattlingofthechains.Kalilookedbackandhe saw theboyhadhishairwhippedback,his foreheadvisible andhiseyessmokyanddark.

“I…will…see…you…there,”hesaid.Butinsteadoffearintheboy’seyes,therewassomethingelse.Therewashope.

Andthen,theboydidtheunthinkable.Hesmiled.

Vedantahadbeenwaitingyetagain.Buthedidn’twaitinadisgustinglanelikelasttime. It was far better now, but outside the innwhereVedanta’smen had beenslain.Thougheverythinghadbeenclearedup,hetoldthe innkeepertonottouchthe blood. He wanted to show it around. He wanted to showKuvera what hisplanninghaddonetohismen.AndhewantedtomakesureKuverawasadequatelysorryforit.

Ithadbeendayssincetheevent,buthismindhadn’trecoveredfromit.Hewaspetrified as well as angry. He was afraid; he dreamed of a girl with silver hair,rippinghisthroatapart.Hehadtwoguardsinhisroom,wearinglargebellsontheirfeetandtheywereorderednottorestonebit.Whentheygottiredandmoved,thebellrangandVedantawokeupandscoldedthem.Thebellsweresupposedtobean alarm for when someone had entered his room, someone unwanted.He hadUrvashi’sroomblockedbyfivemen.

“I’mnotreallycomfortablewithlargemeninmyroomwatchingoverme,”shehadsaid,butshewouldn’tunderstandthegravityofthesituation.

Indragarhwasofficiallyawarzonenow.Hedidn’tlikeitsincehewouldhavetoprotectUrvashimorethanhimself.AthoughtaboutsendinghertotheSouth,totheDakshinis,cametohismind.Hehadafewfriendsdownthere.Vibhisanawasa

greatmanwhenitcametohelpingoutthoseinneed,andVedantacouldtrusthim.Butthen,a thoughtcrossedhismind.Vedantahadotherenemiesdownsouth.Itwasworse in those kingdomsbecauseVedanta had foughtwith themover tradeandterritoryissues.Hehadtobecareful.

Nowhestoodinfrontoftheinnhehadsystematicallydestroyedbysendingallthewomenandmentoprison.Theinnkeeper,thenewonehiredbyVedanta,hadbeen working to make this establishment respectable. But the rooms where themurderhadhappened,neededtoremainuntouched.

In theweehoursof thenight,whileVedantawaited for theYakshaking,hewasmet by the innkeeper, who said, “There was a guest here,my lord.He hastakenaroomforhimselfeventhoughIwasveryinsistentweweren’t…”

“Youdidn’tgivehimthoserooms?”“No,no,kingship,”theinnkeeperwhimpered,perhapsthesightofbloodhad

disgustedthepoorman.“Notatall.”“Allright,lethimstay.Justmakesuretosendtheguardsonthatfloorsoifhe

moves,weknow,”Vedantaordered.Hewasrespectfulofprivateestablishments,butnotillegalones.Hewasgiven

thereligiouscityofIndragarhbyhisfatherandhehadmadesure toworshiptheGodofallGods,LordVishnu,andtheheadoftheTrimurti.HewassomeonewhoVedantawouldkneelbeforeandpraytoeveryweek,alongwithUrvashiaswell.Hehadbuiltalargegoldenstatueofhim,inthemidstofthecity.Everyonewouldgoand worship it. Though of course now, with the inclusion of the Tribals, manysecondguessedthatVedanta,whoworshippedtheGods,hadfallenpreytoatheism—whichwasfalse.

Vedanta knew better now.He knew they had their own cultures, rituals andtraditionsjustlikeManav.Theywereall inthesamecircleoffaith,justdisbandedandcastratedfromthesociety,becauseofbattlestheyhadlostagesago.

Hehadtofocusontheobjective,though.Revenge.Thatwasit.Whoeverwasbehindit,beitKuvera,VasukiorKali,he

wouldbecoming for them.But, asofnow,he trustedKuvera.Hecouldn’thavedoneit.ItwouldbepotentiallyharminghisrelationshipwithVedanta.

Thewaitwasover.The rich smell of flowers came aroundwhen theYakshakingenteredthestreet,wrappedingaudyrobesandostentatiousjewels.Helookedtiredthanthelasttimeandhiswistfulenergyhadbeenlost.

“WhatamIsummonedfor?”heasked,agitated.Vedanta wonderedwhy. But he prodded himwith further questions.He led

him to the rooms,opening themonebyone. “As you can see, all the sheets are

red.”“Well,IknowIseemtobeafashionableman,yourkingship,butI justdon’t

think it’s necessary to show me random designs, since we are facing a politicalstruggleatthemoment.”

“Thesearenotdesigns.”Vedantasignalledhimtogocloser.Kuveradidsoandhegasped,ashetouchedthefabric,touchingthedryblood.

Heturnedback,paleasever,tryingtotakeadeepbreath.“YoudorealiseIdon’thavethestomachforblood.”

“Youdidn’tmindTakshaka’sblood.”“WellthatwasNagablood;itsmellsdifferent.”Vedanta didn’t know if therewas anything unique about aNaga’s blood.He

hadseenit.Itwasthesamecolour,thoughhedidn’tmanagetosmellitlikeKuvera.“This clearly isManav blood,” he blurted. “Why are you showingme blood,

man?”“Thisismymen’sblood,”hesaidbywayofexplanation.“Myministersandmy

Senapati.”“Ididn’tdoanything,yourkingship.Whateverwedid,wetookamatureanda

wisedecision.”“Nowitisbackfiring,clearly.”“Didyoumanagetofindoutwhoitwas?”Vedantanodded,takingKuveratothelastroomwherethesilver-hairmurderer

hadbeenseen.“Itwassomeonewithadifferentkindofhair.Silver.”“I’llsendmyinformantsacrossthecity,getthewordout,”hepaused.“Itwon’t

be difficult to ask around, since the colour is indeedquite unique and I am suresomeonehasseenit.”

Vedantahadadisdainfulface,butKuverahadagoodarmyofinformants.Theyreliedheavilyonthespyinganddisguises.

“Three rooms.That’s like someone really had a grudge against you,”Kuverasaid,beforeVedantacouldevenopenthedoor.

“Whatdoyoumean?It’sanassassin.”“Sure,buttheassassinwouldnevermakesuchamess,heorshewouldhitthe

target and leave,”Kuvera explained, “by arrows, dagger or poison. But this onedidn’t go on that route. She probably drugged your men and then killed them,leavingallthewomen.So,yes,ourenemy,whoeveritis,hasfoundsomeonewhohates you. You must search for people who have a beef with you. Anyone inparticularyouremember?”

Vedantadidn’t.Allheeverdidwashelpothers.“ADakshiniperhaps?”

“Ohno.ADakshiniherewouldmaketoomuchnoise.”Kuveranarrowedhiseyes.“Andwhynow?Hewouldn’twanttocrippleyoulikethis;he’drathergoonawaragainstyouandhumiliateyou.”

“Isee,”Vedantahummed,his thoughtsrunningwiththesameideaofwhoitcouldbewhodidthis.Wasitthetimehehadkilledtheimpostersortherobbers?HehadhuntedafewmeninthejunglesofKeekatpur,buttheywereMlecchas.Sowho could have had a grudge against him?He opened the door and instead offinding an empty room, he saw a slender, lanky man standing, his back againstthem. He was wearing a tight vest, was armed with two daggers and wearingbejeweledslippers.Hishairwasallpatchy, andhis skin seemeddiseased.Hewaswatchingtheblood-stainedpillows.

Heturned.Hisfacewasagrotesquemixtureofcherubicfeaturesandfestering,scalyskin.

“I’msorrytobreakupthisparty,”Kalisaid,grinning.“I’mgladyouhavebeenserved thewine aswell.”Hewalked toKuvera andVedanta, bothof themnowinstantlypetrifiedandbackingoff.“Don’tbeafraidofme.Iseekpeacejustasyoudo.”

“Howdidyoufindus?”Vedantasaid,tryingtokeepastraightface.“I’ve increased the strength ofmy generals to spy onmy loyal friends.”His

handsslowlyroundedaroundKuveraandVedanta’sshoulders.“Toseewhattheyareupto.Ididn’tknowIwouldneedthisserviceuntilyoutwobegantobehavedifferentlytowardsme,especiallyyou,Vedanta,whoabjectlyhatesthecompanyoftheTribals.Theironyiskillingme.”

Kuveraasked,tryingtogetridofKali’shandoverhisshoulder,“Whatdoyouwant?”

“Whatyoutwowant,”Kalisaid,“whichisthatweshouldworktogether,allofus.Afterall,wehaveoneenemynow.”

“Wasitreallyhim?”Vedantaasked.KalilookedatVedantaasiftryingtogaugewhetheritmatteredtohim.“Ithas

tobehim,”Kalisaid.“Ifnot,well,it’sanhonestmistakeonourpart.”Vedantacouldnothelp,butseetheimagesofhisdeadwifeanddaughter.Kali

hadinfiltratedtheirmeetingandnowVedantahadnochoicebuttotakehelpfromhim.

While Kripa and Bala decided to use loud speeches, drum beating and pinningpostersuptodistractpeople,Arjanhadadifferentpath.Thespreadofpropagandawas only to appease Ratri as they couldn’t say they were going to break into aprison. With an apple in his hand, he would walk casually around the prison’sexterior, studying the intricaciesof its architecture.Thenwith theuseofwhathehadseen,hewouldsitandmakeroughsketches.

HehadevenmetShuko,whilewalkingdownthemarketplaceoneday.Hehadalmostforgottenaboutthebird.ShukoaskedaboutKalkiandArjancouldn’thelpbutanswerhimhonestly.HetoldShukotostaywithhimratherthanflyingaway.

With Kripa and Bala on his side and Shuko busy eating curd, he explained.“Theprisonistheonlyarchitecturalmarvelinthecitythatisroundinshape,”hebegantocreateacircle.“Alittlebitofcurvatureontheedges,ifyounotice.”

“Whatisitmadeof?”Balaasked,hisarmscrisscrossingacrosshisbody.“Iron,Isuppose.Iwasnotabletotouchit.”“Allright,moveon,mate.”Kripatouchedthepaper.“Yes, so…”Arjanbegan tomakesomesymbols in frontof themaingateof

theprison.“Whatisthat?”,Balaaskedmortified.

Kripa squeezed his eyes shut and tried to understand it himself. “Looks likebacteriatome.Whyareyoudrawingbacteria,mate?”

“That’sabazaarshack,youidiot.”“Thatdoesn’tlooklikeashack.Thatlookshorrible.”Arjan frowned.“I’mnotanartist, soplease, forgiveme,you two.”He ticked

off theshacks.Thereare fivebazaars in thecityand thisone is thebiggest.Andverystrangelyenough,facingtheprison.”

“To,makelifedifficultforinfiltratorslikeus,”Kripaexplained.“Allright,whatelse?”

“Thereisapigeonpostsystemthatoperatesnearby,”Arjansaid.“Andthereisthisoneperson,verytrustworthy,whocomeswithsomefoodinacartandenterseveryday.”

“Foodfortheprisoners,”Kripanodded.“Andthat’showwewillenter,”Kripasaid.

“Buthe’sthesamemanandifanyoneseesit…”Kripasnapped.“Weneedtobecreativeobviously.Whatisontheothersideof

theprison?”hepaused.“That’llbethealternative.”“TheMiningStreet,astheycallit,wherethearmouryismade.”“Andwhat is that?”askedKripa,pointing to theoutercircleArjanhadmade

aroundtheprison.“Wires. The entire prison has barbed and serrated wires, which makes it

difficulttogetthrough,”Arjanreplied.KripashowedittoBala.“Ineedsomethingtobreakthroughthere.Getitfrom

theMiningStreetitself,andweneedthreemaskstohideouridentities.”“Andhowdoyouplantoentertheprisonthroughtheback?There’snodoor.”Kripasmiled.“Mate,weneedtomakethedoor.”

Arjandidn’t reallyunderstand thatdaywhatKripahad said,buthehadbeenplanningtogoinsidetheprison,toknowthebasicstructureoftheprison.That’swhatKripatoldhimtodo.Andhealsotoldhimnottogetkilled intheprocess,whichwouldbeimmenselyproblematicastheywouldbeshortofonemember.

AndhereArjanhadthoughtKripacared.Apparently,themysteriousplanoftheredoubtableAcharyawassimpleandyet

complex.Hewantedtoknowtheinsidesoftheprisonandusethebackdoorentryeventhoughtherewasnone.Arjandidn’trealisewhytheplanwouldbegeniusuntil

Kripa explained to them in detail. He said they would have to go and rob thereservoirsofSoma.

“Wecan’tjustrobit.”“Iknow.I’mworkingonfindingsomewaytogetit.”Arjanwasdispleased,buthehadnoalternativeplantoworkon.“Andwhatdo

youplantodowiththeSomas,whichhaswreckedourlives?”“Makebombsoutofit.”Kripahadgrinned.BalaandArjanglancedateachother.“Doyouknowhowtomakeit?”Arjanasked.“I’vetaughtmynephewtodoitanditdidn’tgoasplanned,”Kripareminisced.

“But Iknow, yes.Weneed avery little amount tohelpusget going.During theMahayudh,many used Somamixedbombs,whichwere commonly calledAstras.Wewilluseitatthebackdoor,blastitopen,entertheprison,freeKalkiandescapeinstantly after that,” he said that and for a moment, silence ensued, until Arjanbegan.

“Whatifitdoesn’twork?”“There’salwaysaprobabilityofnotworking,”Kripasaid,“soyes,ifitdoesn’t

work,wewilldieandwewouldendupkillingotherinmatesaswell.”Arjangrabbedtuftsofhishairinfrustration.“Andhowdoyouplantonotkill

others?”“Byplacing itrightwhere it’ssupposedtobe,andforthat,youneedtoenter

theprisonandseewherewecanplantit.”

And here hewas, standing outside the prison, with another apple to occupyhim.Theplanwasabsurdandunhingedanddependedonalotofvariables.Kripawas the definitive version of craziness, coming up with absurd plans like these.AstraswereconsideredtobegivenbyGodstoafewwarriors,butKripasaiditwasnothinglikethat.Theywouldneedonemorepersonintheteam,Arjanknew.Andhehad seen the candidatewhoworked forRatri. Shewas a cherub-faced; silver-hairedgirl.Buthehad seenher in action, agile and fastwhen she trainedon theporchofRatri’shouse.

“Her name is Padma,” Ratri had said when she caught Arjan staring at her.“ShewasanorphanwhenItookherin;allhersiblingsweremurderedinfrontofher.”

Itwasodd,listeningtoRatribeingsomelancholicwhenshewouldbethemost

unemotionalpersonotherwise.“Whodidit?”“Shewouldn’tsay.I’veaskedhermanytimes.”Arjanwasveryintrigued.Hehadn’tlikedherinanyotherwaysincehewasnot

interestedingirls.Butshewasdifferent.Shehadalookofawarrior,hiddeninsideher.Andlater,hehadseenRatriyellingatPadmaforhavingdisappearedforhoursandnottellingherwhy.

“Idon’t like this. Idon’t likehowyouarenot tellingmewhatyouareup to.ButifIfindoutandIdon’tlikeit,Iwillkickyououtofthehouse.”

Padmahadbeenquietuntilshecalmlysaid,“Youalreadyhave,inaway,sinceyouhavetakenthosemeninourmission.”

“Theyarehelpingus.”“Theyarenothingbutfools.”Shewasbeingderogatory,butshewasright.Butfornow,Arjandidn’thavetocareaboutagirl.Hiseyescalmlysetonthe

manwhowasgoingtowardsthecitywithhiswagon.Hehadallsortsoffooditemswithhim.ArjanwhistledatShuko,whowassittingonhisshoulder.Shukonoddedandzappedtowardstheman,andwithhisshortbeak,grabbedaloafofbread.Theman,horrified,begantofollowasShukoteasedhim.

Thatwashischance.Arjan, with quick strides, grabbed on to the wagon, with a shawl wrapped

aroundhisfacetocoverit,makinghiswayinsidethemarket.Fromalookoverhisshoulder,hesawthemanwasfranticallytryingtofindhiswagon.

Arjancouldn’thelpbutsmile.Hereachedtheprisongates,passingthroughthemarketthatwasbustlingwiththesmellsofflowersandfood,thesoundofyellsandraisedvoices;itwasbuzzingwithsellersandbuyers,hagglingovertheproduceandwaresondisplay.

Theprisongatewasblockedby twoNagas,whostoodwith their swords.AtthesightofArjan,theybegantoopenthegates,beforetheystopped.Arjanhadfeltan elated sense of joy for a moment until he realized they had caught on tosomething.Arjanstopped,actingasifhewascoughing,whiletheNagaappearedinfrontofhim.Arjanhadhisentirefacehiddenwiththeshawl.

“Whoareyou?”Arjancoughed.“It’sme,man.”Hecoughedagain.“I’mill,man.I’mjustveryill

today.”Hisheartwasthumpinghardandhisfingershadgrownold.Hewastryingtobringhisgruffvoiceout,tryingtoallaytheguard’ssuspicion.

“Youdidn’tneedtocomethen.”“Duty,man.”

“Whyareyoutalkinglikethat?”Arjan sneezedand rubbedhisnoseon theNaga’sbreastplate.Hegot scared.

“Oh!Dareyounot!Lethimgoinside.Disgusting.”TheNagafrowned,wipingthesnotoffofthearmour.

With a concealed smile insidehis shawl,hemadeway slowly.Arjanwasgladthathisheightwassimilartothemanwhotookthefoodinsidetheprison.Asheentered,henoticedhewasmetbyinmates.Theywerewalkingaround,whileNagasstoodcalmly,guardingtheinnerprisoncomplex.Arjanhadtoacthiswaythrough.

At the courtyard, inmates took their desired food; some choose fruits forthemselves, others opted for glasses of milk. Arjan made his way forward then,insidethecorridors,hiseyestakingmentalnotesofthearchitecture,buthecouldn’tfindanythingthatwouldleadtowardsthebackoftheprison.Everythingseemedtobeinthefront.

Amidst the inmates who were ranting and yelling from the darkness, Arjancameroundtofindmultiplewindows,buteachwindowmerelyopenedoutinsidetheprisoncourtyard.

Thefortresswasconfusing.Arjanpasseddownmanydarkcorridors,dodgingtheNagas,untilhewasable to find the finalwindowwhichwould leadhimout.Whenhelookedoutofthewindow,hecouldseethebackoftheprison,whereitoverlookedtheMiningStreet.Hetriedcountingitslocation,buthehadforgotten.

Arjan got an idea.He had been carrying a weapon to defend himself in theeventualityofanattack.Heused it,bykeeping itover thesill sowhenhewouldlookatthiswindowfromoutsidetheprison,hewouldbeabletosee.Thatiswheretheexplosivesneededtobeplaced.

Arjanwentbacktohiswagonandbegandistributingfoodtoeachcagesotheywouldn’tpresumesomethingwaswrongwithhim.Hehadtocontinueactinguntilhewasout.TheNagaswere less innumberhere,next to thecages.But soonhefound the Nagas were walking up and down a particular cage. When he cameforward,theNagatooksomeapplesandbananasforthemselves,grinning.

“Noheathere,oldman.Whydoyouwearsuchclothes?”theNagaasked.Arjanjustsniggeredwithhishoarsevoice.Heknockedonthecage,whichthe

Nagasprotected.“Hedoesn’teatfood.”Arjannoticedwhoitwasandhewasn’tsurprised.ItwasnoneotherthanKalki.

Hehadbeen lyingonhis back, a thickbeard coveringhis face, andhis hair hadgrown longer thanbefore.He lookedweaker and sicker than the last timeArjanhadseenhim.Arjan’sstomachconvulsedinfearandrelief.

Arjantriedtosounddeepandgravelly.“The-thereissomeoneouttherecallingyatwo,sayingsomethingaboutapartyorsomethingamongsttheguards.”

“Party?”theNagalookedattheotherguard.“Theycan’tpartywithoutus.”“Theyare,surely.”“Youkeepaneyeonhim,oldman.Wewillcomebackinaninstant.”Arjanslowlynodded.“Yeah,sure,sure.I’mrighthere,yougoonahead.”ThesecondNagawasreluctantandaskedthefirstone,“Wearegivenorders

nottomovefromhere.”“Orders? Pfft,” Arjan growled and so did the otherNaga. “Have some fun,

snake.”“Yeah,havefun,”saidthefirstNaga,frowning.“Wearetiredofstandinghere

inthedark.”Arjancouldn’tagreemore.The second Naga managed to grin, though he was still uncertain. But he

noddedandwas takenby the firstguard for the fictitiousparty.Arjannowknewhowthefoolishaboundedeverysingletribeandrace.Hecameforward,hishandsclutchingtherailsashelookedatKalki.Foramoment,hepitiedhim,butheknewhehadnotime.

“Psst!”“What?”Kalkigroaned.Hewassleepy,perhaps.“Leave!”Hisvoicewashoarse.“It’sme,Arjan,”Arjanwhispered.There was a moment of silence as Kalki opened his eyes. He stood up,

eyebrowsarching,handsshakingashecameforward,wide-eyedasifhewasseeingadream.

“Arjan?”He pushed his hand out and they each other by the shoulders andhuggedthroughtherails.

“It’sgoingtobefine.”“I thought youhad escaped somewhere else or perhapsperished.”Kalki had

tearsinhiseyes,whichheswipedaway.Helookedsoexhaustedandalmostdead.“Kripabroughtmehere,”Arjansaid.“Wearegoingtogetyouout.”“Didyougetmymessageandcomehere?”“Yes,”Arjanpaused.“Yourealiseourliveshavechanged.Wehavetoleavefor

themountainsassoonaswecangetyouout.”“Hecametomeyesterday.”“Who?”Kalkilookedsideways;hiseyeswereglitteringwithdisgust.“Kali.”

“Whathappened?”“Hethinkshissisterlikesme.”Arjanshrugged.“Whydoeseverygirllikeyou?What’swrongwithme?”Kalki

beamedatthatandonecouldseevestigesofhisformercharm.“He’seitherbeingprotectiveorjealous.HethinksIhavestolenherheartandtoprovehe’sthekingofallkings,he’sgoingtoexecutemeinfrontofherandeveryone.”

“Without a trial?” Arjan was surprised. He had read about the city judicialsystem.Deathwasthelastresort;andthattoothiswasarecentphenomenon.Thejurywouldsit,decidinghisfate.Kalki’sdefencewouldbethatwhateverhedidwasoutofself-defense.ButArjanknewthatKaliwouldtwistitintosomethingelse.

“Atrialforhimisjustaformality.He’sgoingtoenditthewayhewantsittoend,”Kalkispat.Hewasclearlyangry,butthenhewasangrywitheverythingthatwasaroundhim.

“Whatareyouplanningtodoforanescape?”“You won’t like the plan.” Arjan pursed his lips and then he explained the

entireexplosivesideatohim.Kalkijustfrowned.“Haveyoufoundthelocationtotriggeritoff?”“SeemslikeIhave,”Arjannodded.“Just remember to improvise.”Kalki grabbedhis shoulders. “Andbe careful,

mostofall.Iwouldratherdiethantoriskyourlife.”Arjanshookhishead.“Ifeelthesameway.IamnottheherooftheDarkAge;

youare.Youhavetogothereandprotectandifyoudie,orifKalifindsoutyouaretheonewhowillvanquishhim,hewillkillyou,rightatthismoment.Fornow,hethinksofyouasasport.”

Kalki hummed thoughtfully. “I just don’t think of him as the Adharmanymore.”

“Why?’“Callitagutfeeling.”“ButIthought…”“I know I told you itwas him, butwhen Imet him, it just didn’t seem that

way.”Arjannodded.Itchangedeverythingforhim.Buthecouldn’tsayanythingelse

becausetherewasabelltolling.“It’sanalarm.”KalkitappedArjan’sshoulder.“Ithinktheyknowyouarehere.

Run.”Therewerethesoundsofheavyfootsteps,callingouttotheintruder.Withone

last embrace, Arjan tried making his way out, but there was no way out. The

windowsweregrilled,andthecorridorswereperplexing.Hethrewawaytheshawlandreachedtheendofthecorridorwherehefoundhewasinthecourtyardarea.Hesawalltheinmatesgazingathim,asNagasbegantofollowhim.

Arjan knewhehad to do something.Withone swiftmovement of his sickleagainst thewall, he climbed it.Nagaswere on the ground, yelling andmilling allaroundhim.Arjancontinuedclimbingup,hopingthesicklewouldmakeapurchaseonthestonewallsandhelphimgetaway.Hewassoclosetodeath,hecouldfeelit.Withonemorestab,hesawthesicklewaslosingitsgrip.Itwasn’tgoingtoholdhisweightanymore.Hisfingersgrabbedthestoneedges,whenanarrowcame inhisdirection.Itmisseditsintendedtarget,buthitthestoneslab.Hegrabbedthearrowandused itas leverage toclimbevenhigher.Onearrowhadmissedhim,but theseconddidn’t.Ithithimrightintheankle.Hemovedsuddenlyandalmostfell,butthesicklehelpedhim.

“Comeon.”Hewassweating.Hedidn’tlookdown,forheknewhewouldbeafraidandlosehisgriponthewall.Hefinallyreachedthetopofthewall,whentheNagasbegantoyell.Hecameupontopandlaughed,butthestingingpaininhisanklemadehimlosecontrolandtopple.Herealizedhewasgoingdown,hishairwhipping at the sudden motion; as he manoeuvered his body. Down he went,beforelandingonsomethingsoft.Herealizedhewassavedbyafarmer’scart.Thefarmerwas yelling in shock, butArjan just spat some hay out of hismouth.Herealizedthecartwasplacedrightnexttotheprisonwalls.

Thisisamiracleindeed.With a deep breath, he came out the hay cart and bowed to the farmer

gratefully,beforeleavingforRatri’shouse.Heknewhehadtodosomething.Kalkiwas right. They had to improvise and they had to get the Soma before his trialbegan, so that theycouldhelphimtoescape.Thoughamongall thematters thatran in hismind right now, therewas one thing that struck out to him.Why didKalkithinkKaliwasnottheAdharm?

PadmahadrealizedthatshewasdonewithRatri.Shewasaself-absorbedwoman,whomshedidn’ttrustanymoreandPadmathoughtofleavingher.ShewantedtoleaveManasa’skeeptoo.Andsettleinsomefarawayvillage.

WhysuchsuddenburninghatredtowardsRatri?Because putting men in the house without knowing much about them was

absolutely foolhardy andagainst every shredof commonsense, according toher.Formanyyears, shehadstrived forher trustandherewere three imbeciles,whohadnoideaaboutpropaganda,rumoursortheadministration,whohadgaineditinasnapofasecond.Theywerethereforthesakeofbeingthere.Ratrisaidthattheywereherniece’s friendsandasmuchasPadmahad likedLakshmiwhile shehadbeenhere,shecouldn’tstandthefactthatLakshmi’sdeathhadallowedthesementocomeintotheirlives.

DeathwassosimpleforPadmanow,becauseherbrotherswerecrucifiedandburnt by the very kingwhom everyonewanted back on the throne on a de jurebasis.EveryoneexceptPadma.

WhenRatri had announcedLakshmi’s disappearance and thenews abouthereventualdeath,Padmahadn’tbeenstunned.DeathwasalrightforPadma.Shewascallousinthesematters.Everyonedied,sheknew.Infact,shelivedontheedgeina

world thatwason theprecipiceofchaos.Thatwasa sad thought, sheknew,butthatwaswhatshehadgrownuptobe.

EvenAakash’sdisappearancehadbeen anon-event forheruntil she realizedtherewasawildclamour tosee thegranddisplayatLordKali’s fort.Padmahadsneakedin,andlaidhereyesonherex-comrade—Aakash.Hewasimpaled,killedby a senseless act of violence. Kali, she had thought, was the most suited andprogressiveruleroverKeekatpur.Butnowhewasalsodoingcrazythings.Shewasthoroughly unsettled by his twin generals too, who didn’t have an ounce ofexpressionontheirfaces.

Her hair tied in a bun and with a cloth wrapped around it, she entered thechamberswheretheplaywasbeingperformed.Whilepuppetryandmimicryshowswereorganized in theopenbazaar area, the theatrewas anotherbeast altogether.Majesticallyproportioned, it seated thewho’swhoof thecity. Ithappened in thecoveredstadium,builtoverastoneplatform.

Padmawouldn’thavebeen allowed in, if itwasn’t forVasuki’s summons.Asshemadeherway tohis littlekeep,wherehewassittingalone,chewingonbetelleaves,Padmasawtheplay.Itfeaturedanimal-skinwearingmenandwomen,withface masks. The atmosphere was redolent with the clanging sounds from themusicalinstruments.

Padmamadeherwayonthetop,bythestairs,whilethelessernoblessatatthebottom.She reached the top,where she foundpurplecurtainspartiallyobscuringthesightofthehighernoblesanddignitaries.TwoNagaguardswerestandingandthey checkedher,before lettingher enter, even though shehad adaggeronher.PerhapsVasukihadtoldthemthatPadmawasnothreattohim.

Vasuki’sbackwas facingher, as sheentered.Padmadidn’thave toannounceher entry for he already began speaking. “Good work with what you did at thebrothel.”Padma couldn’t see his face, but she knewhewas smiling. “You couldhavemadeitdiscreteandyoudidn’t.”

Thatwasforareason.Manasahadgivenherthedestinationandtheorders,butshehadgivenher the liberty tocompleteherassignment inanymannerpossible.AndPadmachosethemostviolentone.

“Sit.”Vasukidirectedhertoasmallpedestal.Sheobeyed.ShewassummonedherebyVasukiforsomethingimportantorat

leastthatwaswhatthenotesaidtoher.

“You have done your one jobwell,” he turned, his lips coloured red by thebetelleaves,“butthatdoesn’tmean,it’stheendofit.It’sKali’sturnnow.”

Itwasasurprisesinceshehadbeenthinkingabouthimjustawhileback.“Youwantmetokillhim?”“Ohno,no,”hewaveditoff.“Manasasaidhecanbeusefulifhe’sweakagain.

Easytodangleapuppet,right?”“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”“My sister…”hegave anote toPadma, “has a fewboys running in the city,

whonotedowneverymovementofthecouncil.Apparently,theyfoundthatKali’shealth that has been deteriorating drastically, before he rapidly recovered.Surprising,isn’tit?Wellhehadhelp,fromastrangeherborsomethingandhegoestothisplace…”hepointedatthenote,“often,toretrieveitforhishealth.Idon’tknowhowmuchiskeptinside.”

Padmaunfurled the note, realizing itwas a diagrammedmap, clumsilymade,butenoughtogiveheranideaaboutwhereitexactlywas.“AndwhatdoyouwanttodowithitwhenIenter?”

“Burnallofit,”hegrinned,histeethred.“Burnuntilthelastofitisleftandgetthatforme.Iwanttotryitmyself,tobehonest.”Hechuckled.

“WhataboutVedanta?”“Wewillcometohim.”“Iwanthimaswell.Whenareyougoingtohelpmeenterhisfortand…”Vasuki liftedhishand tohalther. “Manasa said tobepatient about this. She

gaveyouhismen,right?Youcrippledhimworsethatway.Manasasaidkillinghimwon’tdo.Ifyouwantrevengefromhim,youkilltheonehelovesthemost.”

“Whoisit?”Herearswerealert.“Don’tworry about that.Manasawill soon learnand tell you,”witha simple

shakeofhishead,Vasukisaid,withoutanyemotionrunningoverhisface.Theideaseemedfine,atleastfromwhatshehadheardsofar.Padmanodded.

“I’ll seewhat I cando.”Andbefore shedriftedoff, she saw thecoloursand theactorsoftheplayagain,withagreatdegreeofinterestandagreatsmileonherface.

“Youhaveneverseenthetheatre,girl?”Vasukiasked,ashisvoicegrewsoft.Padmashookherhead.“It’sbeautiful,isn’tit?”Padmasmiled.Itwasmanyyearssinceshehadsmiledproperly.“Itis.”Shesaw

theboy trying to take away the girl,whowaswearing amule’s skin. “What’s thestory?Whydotheykeepdancing?”

“Dancing is the most elegant form of visual communication,” Vasuki said.

“Lookcloselyandthestorywillformitselfinfrontofyou.”Padmaglancedbackatthestage.“Howdoyouknowallofthis?”“Myfatherwasagreatman;apractitionerofsucharts,andhemadesurewe

werewell-versedinourtraditionsofartandculture.Hetaughtmealotaboutit.”Hisvoicewasn’tmalevolentlikebefore.Ithaddeepened.

“Whathappenedtohim?”“Killed.Iwasjustsixteenwhenithappened,”hesaid.“Quiteyoungtoleada

tribe,youmightthink.Acivilwarhadensuedoverthisveryquestion.Itwas justmeandManasaagainstagroupofpeoplewhohaddefiledmyfather’sthroneandmine.”He sighed, taking adeepbreath,perhaps seeing the imagesofhis chaoticpast in front of him. “I apologize for speakingmore thanwas required. I oftendelveintomylife.”

Padmawas sitting right next to him, her back to the curtains that hid them,watchingtheplay.“CanIsitheretowatchsomemore?Iwouldliketoknowmoreabouttheartisticaestheticsthatgoesinit.”

“Sure, girl. I actually encourage more people to go for such pursuits,” hereplied,butshedidn’tlookathimanymore.

Forsomereason,thedeathofhisfatherresonatedwithher,remindingherofherrelationshipwithherbrothers.Shehadlearntsomuchfromthem,beitarcheryor sword fighting. They had taught her to be a soldier because they were onesthemselves.Her three elder brotherswere guardsmen toVedanta and the fourthone,whohadbeenyounger,wasaimingtobeone.Likethem,PadmahadwantedtojointhemovementandbecomethefirstwomanSenapati,untilthetragedyhadstruckthem.

“Wasthissomethingyourfathertaughtyou?”“Yes.Eatingthisgarbage,”hesignalledatthebetelleaveshewascrunching.“I

hadbegun…”hetrailedoff.Padmaturned,assherealizedhedidn’tcompletehissentence,whenshefound

histhroathadbeenslitandhewaschokingonhisownblood,hismouthopeningandclosingmechanically.Hiseyeswerelifelesslystaringather,withafaintlookofsurpriseetchedonhisface.

Hereyesshotup;realizing itwasdonebynoneotherthanoneofKali’s twingenerals.Itwasthewoman,withthegoldenhair,holdingthebloodydaggeroverVasuki’s dead body.And the smile clearly showed that shewas coming next forPadma.

Padmadeflectedtheattackjustintime.Withherdaggerscrossingeachother,Vikoko tried tohither repeatedlyuntil

Padmafeltandgrabbedherowndagger.Withasharproll,Padmareachedforherlegs,andtriedtotripher.Itdidn’twork,andwithaswiftshove,Padmawastossedagainstthewall.

Vikokocamelurchingather,thedaggerreachingforPadma’sskull,whenshedeflected again. Shewasquick.Theybothhad theirweaponsdrawn against eachother, their heads coming close, their eyes meeting. And then Padma, using theforce of her bent knees, leapt up, leaving Vikoko dumbstruck. She came overVikoko’s back and with the hilt of her dagger, hit her on the head. With that,Vikokofelldown,but itwasn’t theendof it.AsPadmatriedtostabher,Vikokojustpushedheraway.Padmalostherbalanceandfellback,butsheknewfightingwiththislargeladywouldbeimpossibleafteracertainamountoftime.

Staggering, shemade her way out, while Vikokowas struggling to come up.Padmarealizedthatoutside,Nagabodieswerelinedupagainstthechamber.Deadcorpses just stacked one over the other. Padma raced forward, while Vikokocontinuedtochaseherthroughthecrowdedtheatre.Herbunknockedagainstthewall,andhersilverhairwasunfurled.Sherealizedshehadtodosomethingsoon.

Her feetwere quick and she cameout of the recessed steps, dodging the guardswhileVikokocalmlywatchedherleave.

Padma tried to find a transport for her while she saw Vikoko grab for herhorse. Padma hated herself for not bringing a horse for herself. Padma sprintedforward,evenasherchestachedwiththeexertion.Shereachedacirclealittlewayoff,gladthatVikokowasnotchasingherwithanentireretinueofsoldiers.

Leavingthecircleandmakingwayforthenarrowlanes,Padmatriedtofindaplacewhereshecouldcatchherbreath.Butthesoundofhooveswouldnotletherrestinpeace.Padmahadneverfeltsofrightened.Sheknewshewoulddieoneday,butonlyafterkillingVedanta.Now,withoutcompleting theobjective, shewouldhave to die. And this death honestly scared her, even though shewas otherwisesangfroidabouttheideaofdeath.

Thehorseappearedrightbehindher,almostreachingher;andVikoko’sswordwasnowtrainedmereinchesfromPadma’sfleeingfigure.Withasuddenswipe,sheslashedtheair,cuttingpiecesofherhair.TherewasatugatthebackofherheadasPadma sprinted forward. She knew if she didn’t do something, she would bemurderedinthisemptystreet.

Andthenshehitonaplan.Padma sprinted as fast as she could, leadingVikoko to ride her horse faster.

And then Padma stopped. The horse continued to gallop further, until VikokorealizedwhatPadmahaddone.Padmastruggledtotakeabreath,herchestheaving,looking up at Vikoko who was grappling with the horse and turning towardsPadma.Gettingherbreathrightagain,Padmapulledoutthedaggers.

Itwasaface-offnow.The horse rode towards her, and Padma began sprinting towards it. Padma

used the force of her feet tomake a huge leap, somersaulting in the air, as shekickedVikokooffthehorse.ButVikokodidmanagetoslicePadma’sskinwithhersword.Vikokocollapsedontheground,whilethehorsecontinuedtorun.Padmawasstandingoverthehorse,asmileonherface,assheproceededforRatri’shouse,whileshesawVikokostandingcalmly,herhorsebeingtakenfromher.Shedidn’tchaseit.Herswordwasstillinherhandandtherewasalookofnakedaggressiononherface.

Padma realized thegashoverher torsowasdeep, asby the timeshe reachedRatri’shouse,shehadlostenoughblood.Shedidn’tstopherhorse,afraidVikokowould followher even though she knew shewasout of harm’sway. In front ofRatri’s house, Padma tried to get off of the horse, which only hurt her, since itwasn’tanordinarysizedhorse.Padma took fewsteps further tentatively,her legs

weakening,asshecollapsedontheground.Sheblinkedforamomentand in thelastmoments before shutting her eyes, she saw a bird in front of her, perhaps aparrot,whichbegantosquawkloudly.Dreamily,shetriedtoshoothebirdoff,butitwouldn’tbudge.

Andtheneverythingturneddark.

Padma woke up to find she was bandaged and her buttoned tunic was off.StandinginfrontofherwasthebigmanknownasBala,withabowlofsoupinhishand.StandingclosetothelibrarywastheboynamedArjan,whoremindedherofheryoungestbrother;andthentherewastheoldmanwhogaveherthenightmares.

“Youtookmyclothesoff?”“Onlythetop,lass,inallfairness,”theoldmansaid.“Youseemedinapretty

badshape,cometothinkofit.”Padmarecalledwhy.ItwasbecauseofVikoko.Sheadmiredthewoman’sskill

anddeterminationofnotleavingheralive.Padmaknewshedidn’tdefinitivelywinoverVikoko.Itwasheracrobaticskillsthathelpedher.

“Thankyou,”Padmaquietlysaid.“Icouldhavedied.Does…”shelookedupatArjannow.“DoesRatriknow?”

Arjan shook his head. “We thought she wouldn’t want to know you weresneakingofftomeetaTribalking.”HewalkedinfrontofherandhandedherthenotethatwasgiventoherbyVasukiandwhichhadasnakesymbolonthetopofthe page. “Now, we know youwere in trouble tonight but we will respect yourprivacy.”

BalasilencedeveryonebeforePadmacouldspeak.“Havesoup,littleone.Youwillfeelbetterafterthis.”Padmanodded,tryingtofindagoodexcuseaboutwhyshehadanotefromVasuki.Shehadtofindareasonsomehow.Shetookthesoupandsippedonitfromtheedgeofthebowl.“Icanexplain.”

“Please,lass,youcangiveusalltheexcusesyouwantto,buttheywon’tworkonusnow,”Kripasaid.“Because likeyou,weare liarsaswell.Wearen’there tostoptheTribalsandwhateverpoliticsyouareinthemiddleof.”

“ThenwhydidyoulietoRatri?”“Tohide,ofcourse,”Kriparesponded.“Likeyoudo,whileyouhelpaTribal.Padmashookherhead.“Youdon’tunderstand.It’smorecomplexthanthat.I

haveamissionIhavetocomplete.”“Sodowe,”Arjansaid.

Padmasippedon.“Andletmeguess,youwantmyhelpwiththat?”“Notreallyhelp,”Arjansaid,takingthenotethathehadtossedather.“Whatis

thisplace?IhavecomparedittotheoverallcitymapandIknowIhaveseenthisplacesomewhere.Whatisthisplace?Itiswrittenhereaswell,‘Kali’slair’.”

Padmasighed.Shedidn’twanttohelpthem,butshedidnotserveanymasteranymore; at least until Manasa would get to know that her brother has beenassassinated.“It’swherehekeepshisherbthatmakeshimallright.”

“Herbsyousay,eh?”Kripagrinneddelightfullyas ifPadmahadjusttoldhimthesecretsofthisworld.“Thankyou.Thatwillbeallthen,thankyousomuch.”

Padmaknewsomethingwasup.“Whyareyoureallyhere?”“None of your business, lass. It’s like the time we didn’t care about your

business.”“Youdorealise,”Padmabegan,“IwasabouttoleaveRatri;soyourattingme

out wouldn’t bother me. But I will make sure to tell her everything about youranticsbeforeIleave.”

Arjan shotKripa a look, as ifhewasbeingan idiot.Thenhe lookedbackatPadma,tenderly.

“Weareheretofreemybrother.”“Shutup,boy!”Kripascolded.“No,wecanuseherhelp,”Arjan snapped.“Sheknowseverythingabout the

cityanditskeeps.Morethanus.Shecanguideus.”“Yes,shefinisheshersoupearlyaswell,oldman,”Balasaid, takingthebowl

awayfromher,“Impressive,littleone.”Kripagroanedinsurrender.“Brother?Who?”“Kalki.”Shehadn’theardthename,Arjanfigured.“That’swhywearehereandthisplace,”hesignalledatthenote,“canbeour

gatewaytogethim.”“Whatissospecialaboutthisplace?”Padmaasked.Kripainterfered.“Itholdsaningredientwhichcanbeusedtomakeabombto

blowupapartoftheprisonwhereKalkiislocked—Happy?”Padma didn’t even know explosives existed. Fire balls, sure.Explosiveswere

tricky and needed a lot of knowledge and expertise, which Padma see in any ofthem.Butthenshegotanidea.“Whowillmaketheexplosives?”

“Guilty,”Kripa raisedhishands, ashebrisklywalkedon the floor, impatientperhapsthatsomuchhadbeenrevealed.

“Canheevenmakeit?”

“He’sanAcharya,”Arjansaid.“Butaren’tAcharyassupposedtobeataGurukul?”“Iamnot!Happy?”Kripagrunted.ArjancameclosertoPadma, lookingstraight inhereyes.“I’mnot lying.He’s

good.Itrusthim.”“All right, Iwill help you enter the keep, getwhatever you need and leave,”

Padmasaid,sincesheknewshewouldhitthebulls’eyebyplayingonbothsides.“ButIwantsomethinginreturn.”Kripastoppedpacing.“Let’shearit,lass!”“Iwantapairofexplosivesformyself.”“Whatwould you use it for?”Kripa arched his brows. “You do realise, they

aren’t child’splay, lass.Theycandestroyanentireplace if youuse it in the rightquantity.”

Padmaraisedhereyebrows,smirkingbuttight-lipped.“That’sthereasonIwanttouseit.”

Standingnexttohisloyaltwinguards,KokoandVikoko,Kaliwatchedthefuneralprocession of Vasuki. A smile, undeniably concealed behind the mask of grief,shadowedhisface.Hehadwornablackdhoti,evenonthisday,withalongclothwrapped around his chiselled body. He had trimmed his hair off with a knife,standinginfrontofthemirror.Feelingthetracesofgrowthonhisbaldhead,Kalirealizedhewasugly,eventhoughKokosaidhelookedhandsome.Hedidn’tthinkso. He wanted to hide his face, disgusted with the scabby and sagging skin. Helovedhishair,butwiththeillness,hehadtoletgoofthatvanity.

Thefuneralwasoverandallthecouncilheadshadbeenthere.VedantawasstillpetrifiedbyKali,whichwasnicesinceKalilikedfearintheManav’seyes.Kuverawas glad, almost too glad, a gleaming smile over his face. Kali still rememberedwhathadtakenplacethedayhehadsteppedintotheirso-calledsecretmeeting.

“Whatdoyouwant?”Vedantahadasked.“The same thing as you, Iwant to end all thosewho have gone behindme,

starting with Vasuki,” Kali had responded, though they didn’t notice the subtle

menaceinhiswords.Forothers,Kaliknew,hewasgoingmad.VedantaandKuveraweresurprised

he didn’t even blink twice before finishing off Vasuki, who was integral forhandlingthepolicedepartmentinIndragarh.BecauseofVasuki,theentirelawandorderofthecitywasfunctioninglikeadream.Butjustlikethat,Kalikilledhimoff.

Kali had a dream, a dream to hold all the Tribals together and constitute apowerfulforceagainsttheManavs.Itwasthewarbetweenthetwothathadcausedhisvillagetoburn,andhissiblingstobekilled.Afterhisparents’death,hewastheonetotakecareofallhisfamilymembers.Buttheyalldiedgruesomely.Apity,Kaliwould always think about. He thought he would redeem himself if he didn’t letotherfamiliesgetdestroyedbythetwowarringfactions.Sohegotthemthetruce.

Now,thetrucedidn’twork.Itwasfarmorecomplicatedthanhehadimagined.Hehadtodosomethingelse.Violencehadbeencementingonlyintheshortrun.HethoughtaboutDuruktiandhowhehadmistreatedher.Maybe,hewaswrong,but itwas the right thing todo.Hehad toputher straight, andhehadhisownreasonsbehind it.Hisparentshaddiedbecause theywerebetrayedandhedidn’twant togodownthesamepathagain.Asuraswereanextinct race in the landofIllavarti.

Findyourheritage.Hehadto.Heneededtoreach thefarthest recessesof theAsura lands, learn

abouttheirtruelanguage,aculturethatwaslargelyforgotten.Hewasaproductofmigration,asthat’swhathisparentsdidwhentheyweredebarredfromtheirownlands.Kaliknewlittleofitforhewassmall,butmanystorieswerenarratedtohimbyhisfather.

WhenKaliwouldthinkaboutwhyhewasdestroyingthelifeofthevillageboyfromShambala,itwasnotjustbecauseofDurukti,butbecausehehadtomakeanexample.Capitalpunishmentwasrare,butthevillageboywouldbethefirstsuchexhibition. It could be done, by a snap of his fingers. Fear had to grip the city,suffocate itandsubmit itself in frontofKali.Thatwashowhewouldbeable tostopallthepoliticalkillingsandfactionalism.Hypocrisywasfatalistic.AndKaliwasgoing down that path. But he knew that in order to end political murders, heneeded to set stern examples.And killingVasuki had been a step taken towardsself-preservation,analmostadjunctaspecttoKali’spersonality.

The funeral was over. Vasuki’s body was not burnt like others, but restedundergroundwithcoins,jewelleryandasnakestatue.HehadlearntabouttheNagarituals.Theybelievedinafter-life.

Kalididn’tbelieveinthishorseshit.Forhim,itwasthislifeandhehadtomake

themostofit.Manasa looked at all of them, tears streamingdown fromher eyes.Her limp

handshook,asifitwasn’tabletotakethegriefoflosingherbrother.Andthensheleft.

Notawordwasspoken.Butthenwordswerecontrollable,actionsweren’t.Kalisawherleaveandwhenshewasoutofsight,Kuverawasthefirstoneto

jump.“She’sgoing tobe aproblem, commander.She’s angry and shewill take adrasticaction.Youneedtomakehersleeporelsewewilldo.”

KaliwatchedKuvera.Hewasalwaysaproblemtohim.“I’lltalktoher,”Kalisaid.

“Would talking help?” Vedanta asked, a little puzzled. “We should do whatKuverasaid.”

“Killing her would only lead to rebellion by the Nagas, and they hold animportantpositionintheentirecity.Don’tletfoolishnesstakeholdofyourbrain.It has a habit of infecting weak minds,” Kali grimaced, leaving behind thedumbstruckmen.

Heknewhehadtodosomething.Butforeverything,hemustwait.

In his study, he had been going through the books of his ancestors, lookingoverforinformationabouttheAsuras.Hehadgotseveralhistorybooksfromthelibrary aswell, trying to understand the society, but none featuredAsuras at anygreatdepth.Mostof theaccountswereeither secondaryoreven tertiary.Hewasdisappointed.Asurasweretermedmalevolentspiritsbysome,whilesomesaidtheyweredemonsfromhell.Butnoneofitwasanhonestaccount.

HegrabbedforthevialofSomaandswallowedahugeamountofit.Initially,ittastedofnothing,butslowlyhefeltthewarmthaffectinghisskinfromhisinsides,makinghimfeelbetter.

And then the volume of book that hewas holding began to change, and herealizedthepageswereturningfaster,hittinghimhardovertheface.Hewatchedasthe pages of the books stopped and started to create its own shape that hewasunable tocomprehend foramoment. It eventuallydawnedonhim that thepagehadcontoursofahumanface.

“Searchyourheritage,”itcalledouttoKali.“Donotforsakethem;theywillleadyoutoyoursalvation.”

Heflungthebookagainstthefloor.Thiswasgettingoutofhand.Sweatbeadshadformedoverhisface,andhefelthehadnootherchoicebuttolistentothosevoices.Whatwasgoingonwithhim?Whywashegrowingdelusional?Hehadtostopactingcrazy.

Salvation?Whatkindofsalvationarethevoicestalkingabout?Kaliwalked to the book and picked it up again.Andhe saw itwas ordinary

now.Nofacewascomingoutofit,talkingtohim.Itwasfine.Kalisighed,closingthebookback,wipinghissweat.

Just then, therewas a knockon thedoor.Kali bade theperson to enter andKokoletthefamiliarfigurethrough.

ItwasnoneotherthanManasa.Withhershowyrobes,andidentifiablelimphand,Manasastoodtheresilently

forawhile.Kaliwalkedtotheotherendofthetableandsatonthestrawchair.Hisfingersdancedoverhistemplesthoughtfully.

“Youcalledforme.”Manasa’svoicewasrazorsharpandcold.“Idid,indeed,”Kalisaid,“pleasesitdown.”Manasadidso,butitfeltasifshewasforcingherselftodoit.Reluctancewas

stampedoverallheractions.“Ihopeyouarenotplanningtoleavethecity.”Manasa didn’t respond straightaway. She remained silent, until she eventually

nodded,smiling.Butthesmilehadanangryedgetoit.“Youknow,mybrotherwasmurderedthesamewaymyfatherwas.Betrayed.Andslitatthethroat.Thesamemodusoperandi.”

Kalinodded, showing sympathy throughhis expressions, to letManasaknowthat he was deeply apologetic. “I have heard about your father. He was a greatman.”

“Idon’tplantoleavethecity,darling.”Shebeamedthroughcoldandyetsadeyes.“I’mgoingtostayrightherewhereI’mneededthemost.Iknowthat’swhatVasukiwanted.”

Therewas almost ahidden agendabuilding insideher, andKali could feel it.Shewascalculative.“Ijustdon’tknowwhocoulddothistoVasuki.”

“OhIknowwhoalldidit.”ShelookedathimsharplyandKalinoticedtherewasahintofbemusementonherface.“How’syourhealth?Youhavebeenawfullyalright;somemightsayitisamiraclesinceyourhealthhadbeendegradingrapidly.”

“Duruktihelpedme.”AtthethoughtofDurukti,Kalipursedhislips.Hehadforgottentoapologizetoherandshemustbefiercelyangryathim.Hewouldleaveinstantlyforher,afterthisblastedmeeting.“Vasukihadcometovisitme.”

“Iknowhethreatenedyou,Kali.”Shedidn’tevenhavethecourtesytocallhimbyhistitle.Shewasbluntandstraight.ApartofitmadeKaliglad.Atleast,therewasonehonestperson.“AndyouwereattackedlaterbyaNaga.Butitwasn’tus.IfI findout,by anychance, that youhadany involvement inVasuki’sdeath, Iwillskinandpeelyoualivebecauseyouhaveprovedtobesuchasoredisappointment.”

Kali nodded. “I’m sure you’ll find the culprit. In fact, you can use myinvestigators,KokoandVikoko.Theywilllookintoitaswell.”

“I already havemyboys at service, looking to findwhoever itwas,mydear.You don’t have toworry aboutmywell-being.”And shemeant it as if shewasaimingatKali’swell-beinginstead,whichwouldbeunderduressandthreatinthenearfuture.

“Allright,”Kalicoughed,feelingsomethingwasstuckinhisthroat.PerhapsitwasSoma’saftereffects.Notonlywoulditbringawarmtastetohismouth,buthefelt like coughing his guts out. But then, hewould be all right after that, just assuddenly.

“Ihadsummonedyouhereforthelatesttrialsthatwewillbetakingupinthecity.Vasukiusedtobepartof thecouncilof judges,butnowsincehispassing,Iwouldliketopassyouthetitle.”

Manasawatchedhim,asifKaliwastryingtogetsomethingoutofher.ButKalishowednoemotion.Heknew ifhewouldendupdoing it, it’donlycreatemoresuspicion and animosity from the snake’s end. He needed Manasa foradministrativestability,eventhoughshewouldstabhiminthebackwithherdaggerwiththefirstchanceshegot.Manasahadtobeshownthatshestillmattered,eventhoughKalihadnocareintheworldtoappeaseher.Shehadtobeshownrespect,asifhervoicestillmeantsomethinginthegovernment.

“Youwantmetohelpyouinthedecisionmaking?”“Inallfairness,thejurorsmakethedecisions,butyes,wecanoverruleoraccept

them.”“Anyparticularmenweareholdingontrial?”Kali shrugged, trying to act as if therewasnone thatmattered tohim in the

process.“Notreally.Justtheordinaryfolks.Beitfloggingorbranding,weneedtodecidewhichpunishmenttogowith.Manytrialsoccurinoneday.It’llbemundaneanditisnotacompulsionifyoudon’twanttocome.”

Manasa nodded. “It’s always a pleasure to be accepted in this city’s dailyaffairs.”

That surprisedKali, but he showednohint of it.Hehad a cold face, drawnback,hiseyesmalevolentlywatchingher.

“AlsosinceVasukihaspassedon,I’mputtingupaletterforauthoritarianlocusstandi.Iamappointingmyselfasnotjustyourpunyjudgeinastupid,unimportanttrial,butalsoastheheadofNagasinthiscity.Iwillpersonallyincreasethepoliceprotectionsothattherewon’tbeanymorecaseslikethis,atleastformypeople.”

Manasastoodup,whisperingalmost.“Youpokedthewrongbear,Kali.Now,darling,seetheworldburnaroundyou.”Andwiththat,sheleft,flingingthedoorshutbehindher.Therewasanabsolutesilenceintheroomafterthat.

Kali sat there, in the chair.Did he really poke thewrong one? But then, hewould have competition. What was the fun in not having conflict out of hisactions? Shewould come. She’dnot goback though.Kaliwouldholdher in hisvice-likegrasp.Hehadtofindhowhewouldbeabletokillhisopposition.

Andbyopposition,itmeanttheentirecouncil.Leavinghimout.

Arjanthoughthehadlosttheabilitytobesurprisedfromanyonenow.Hethoughthehadseenenoughandhejustwantedtogohome,curlintoaballinhiscotandrestforevermore.

TheywerestandinginoneoftheroomsinRatri’shouse,concealingmuchfromher,asthecandlesburntandgavelighttothedimroom.Arjanstoodthereinthecorner,hisfingersoverhiships,thesickledanglingfromhisleatherbelt.Heknewitwon’tbeeasybuttheideaofbattlingRakshasagainwasdaunting.Hehadseenwhat they were capable of doing. His very bones shivered as images of thegruelling,bloodysoilofShambalacametohismind.

“Weneedmorehelp,”Padmasaid.Shehadawaywithwords,intermsofnotjustwhat she spoke, but also theway she spoke. It was a dialectArjanwas notfamiliar with. It reminded him of the south, the way Rakshas spoke. But theRakshashadadeepercadencetotheirpronunciation.

“Whataboutsecretlygettingit?”Balaasked.“Secrecy won’t help,” Padma shook her head, showing the diagram she had

madewhilescoutingtheentiremud-keep.Arjansawtheroughdesignandtohissurprise,itwaswellmade.Padmahada

waywithherhandsaswell.ButthenArjanmerelyshookhishead,findinghimself

tooeasilyimpressedwithanythingthegirldidorsaidlately.Thediagramshowedthestructureofthekeep.Itwasclosedfromallsides,just

liketheprison.Withnoceilingonthetop,itwassupportedbyarchesandguardedbyconstantlystationedguards.Inside,ShukohadtoldPadmaandArjan,therewasadomelikestructureunderwhichtheSomawasprobablykept.

“Mostprobablywethinkthat’swhereitis,butweneedtoscoutandwewon’tbeabletoscoutifwedon’thavemorepeople.”

“WecanaskRatri,”Balasaidagain.ArjanglancedathimkeenlyforBalahadgoneredmentioningRatri.Thatwas

odd,sinceArjanhadseenBalaandRatritalkingoften,althoughBalahardlyseemedtheromanticsort.ButthenagainArjanwassocaughtupinhisowncontrivancesthathehadforgottenthetrivialitiesthatsurroundedhim.

Balaadded.“Wehidetoomuchfromher,everyone.”“Lookwho’sfeelingguiltynow.”Kriparolledhiseyes.“Anyoneelsewhogives

adarnorisitjusthim?”ArjandidconsiderthepossibilityoftellingitRatribut itwouldheednofruit.

“Whatdoyousuggest?”Arjanasked,lookingathowPadmapulledoutagoldcoin,seeminglyold-fashioned,andbegantorubtheedgesofit,playingaround.

“Wehirepeople,”sheannounced.“Whowouldthatbe,lass?”Kripaasked.“I’msurewecan’tfindanyonewho’s

asstrongasaRakshas.”Padma nodded. “We can’t. But we can find those who are not as afraid of

them.”Shepaused,takingadeepbreath,asifsummoningherenergiestospeakup,beforefinallyuttering,“Mlecchas.”

Arjanstoodthere,frozenforamoment,wonderingwhethershehadsaidwhathehadheard.HelookedatKripa,whoalsostaredagape,whileBalajustshookhishead,shruggedandsatdownontheground.Arjancouldn’tbelievethementionofMlecchaswouldcome,yetagain,inhislifetime.

“Uh, no, anything else, but not this.” Arjan was stern as he watchedKripa.“Don’tyouhaveanyotherplansthanmakingastrasoutofSoma?”

“Nothingofconsequence,mate.”Kripawasstillthoughtful.“Thisisnotgoingwell.”ArjansatwithBala.Padma looked at them incredulously. “What is your problem with the

Mlecchas?”“Theyattackedus, thosepussies!” exclaimedBala. “TheykilledArjan’s father

even!”TherewasnotevenahintofsorrowinPadma’seyes.“Yeah,andmybrothers

were killed and I have been trying so hard ever since to avenge them.And lookwhereIam,stuckwithwimpswhocan’tgetovertheirprejudicesandgrief.”

She eyed Arjan carefully and then she knelt down, reaching out for him. “IknowyouhaveapprehensionsabouttheMlecchas.Yes,agreedtheyaren’tgoodasindividuals,butwedon’tneedgoodmenonour side rightnow.Weneedevil tofightevil.”

“WheredoyouhopetofindtheseMlecchas?”“Taverns,wheretheyareoftendrinkingandloitering,”sheshowedthecoinshe

had been playing with, “we can sell this off to an antique store and get a goodamountoutofittorenttheMlecchas.”

Arjanthoughtforamoment.Hedidn’tliketheideaatallandforamomenthewasthinkingofalltheotherpossibilitiesthatcouldwork.Butthennoneofitreallyseemed as feasible to him. He knew if he would go for the direct entry to theprison,theNagaswouldkillhiminstantly.Theywerequitebrutallasttimeandhisanklewasstillbruisedandtender.

ThescaronArjan’sfaceburnt.ItremindedhimofthetimeKeshavNandhadslicedit,testingtheverylimitsofhiscapacitytobearpainwithequanimity.Andheknewatthatmoment,heneededsomeonelikethatonhisteam.TheRakshasweresimilartoMlecchas,remorseless.

“Allright.”Arjannodded.

Arjan had just entered the tavern when he noticed theMlecchas, even fromafar. The tavern hadn’t been the dingy place he had expected, like theMadira’sChalice.Arjanlaidhiseyesonthecounterwhereallthedrinksweremade.Butthatwasn’tthesurprisingpart.Itwassurprisinghoweverthattheonewhomadedrinkswasagandharv.Gandharvswerealmostwhite-skinned,withpale, lilaceyes.Theirfaces had straight, conical noses and they were very good when it came toappeasing the rulers. It was written in history that the original gandharvs wereservantsforIndraandworkedwithhim.

Arjan also happened to see the absolutely mesmerizing apsaras, who werewalking, enticing the different men and women in the tavern. They weren’tdistinguishablefromtheircounterparts,thegandharvs,buttheywereattractive,allof them.He tried to look away,but they all came toArjan, flocking aroundhimwhileArjanshruggedthemoff.TheyweretheminuteTribals,asArjanhadlearnt,who had no representative, thus theymoved alongwith other Tribals,migrating

annually.“Aren’t you interested inwomen?”Padmaasked,witha smirk,whilewalking

towardsabunchofmenwhosatwith theirmugsandwereyellingateachother,playingagameofpachisi.Thememoryscarredhimandchilledhisbones;howhehadescapeddeathbyplayingpachisibutlost.

“No,I’mnot,”Arjansaid.“Menthen?That’srare.”Whywasitrare?TherewerethosewholikedthesamesexbackinShambalaas

well,buttheydidn’thavethesamecouragetoadmitittopeople.Arjanhadknownabouthissexualityawhileback,buthenever intendedtoexploreit,sincehehadbeenstuckinacontinuouschainofhorrificevents.

PadmareachedtheMlecchaswhileArjanstoodattheback,watchingher.TheMlecchassawher,butignoredher,butPadmacoughedagaintogettheirattention.

“Whatyouwant,gal?”saidoneofthemen.Hehadadarkandthickbeard,inkyblackincolour.“Wearenotinterested.”

Padma didn’t saymuch, but tossed a bag of coins onto the table. Everyonegasped at the amount, some turning their heads,while the apsaras satwide-eyed.Themainmanstoodup.“Dattatreya.”HeshookhandswithPadma.

“Padma,andthisismyfriend,Arjan.”Dattatreyacameforward,andbroughthishandsforward.“Dattatreya,”hesaid

again.Arjandidn’tshakeitback,eventhoughheknewitwasafoolishthingtodo.Hehadtobefriendswiththem,buthisgutsaidno.

“Whatisyourproblem,kid?”“Leavehim,”Padmainterrupted,“hehashadaroughepisodewiththelikesof

you.”“Whichvillage?”askedDattatreyawithabrutishgrin,asifhedidn’tmindthe

indecencyofhisilk.Butthen,themanwasdrunkasafish.“Shambala.”“Arghh,”Dattatreya nodded to himself, walking back to the table where his

friendswerecountingthecoinsPadmahadgiventothem.“Amanhadcomehere,”he said, “old and scruffy, came with a friend and said they wanted us to raid avillagecalledShambala.Butwesaidno.”

Arjannarrowedhiseyes.AnoldmanwhowantedtotakeoverShambala?“Didyoudoit?”Padmaasked.“Na,ittoomuchworkfortoolessmoney.Weliveoneasyworkandblood,but

withthemoneyyougaveus,wehavenoissuesevenifyouaskustodie,milady.”“Great,that’sexactlywhatyouhavetodo.”

“Whereistheworkat?”“Here,atIndragarh.”There was a shift of expression on Dattatreya’s face. “Here, not really our

business,butuh,wewon’tdoit.”Dattatreyayelledinhislanguagetopackthegoldupandleave,“toolessmoney.”

“Whynothere?What’swrong?”“Indragarh is hostile, and we will be homeless if we get caught. We need

enoughtosustainuswhileweescape.”PadmalookedatArjanandwhispered,“Idon’thaveenoughanymore.”Arjan

knewshekeptmoreoftheantiquegoldcoinsforherself,butshewasselfishandsurelywouldn’tpartwithmoreof them than shealreadyhad.Arjandidn’tblameher.At the endof the day, shewas doing them a favour and not the otherwayaround.

But thenallsaidanddone,hedidn’tworryaboutmoremoneybecauseArjanwas stillmusingoverwhatDattatreyahad said about someone coming for them.Must be somemegalomaniac, for allArjan knew.As he had been drifting in histhoughtsabout theculprit,he swivelledhis face, facinga familiar figurewhohadbeen hiding behind a table. Arjan noticed and realized it was none other thanKumar.

Racing forward,Arjan didn’t stopwhenKumar realized he had been caught.Kumartriedtomovepastthepeople,hissmallbodytossingasidetheothersintheprocess.Arjandodgedasuddenoncomingwagon,feelingthebruntofthisexertionin his ankle, until he leapt onto Kumar, who was trying to make a run for it.Grabbinghimbythefeet,hetossedhimagainstthewallandlookedstraightinhiseyes.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Kumarasked.“Youhavebeenfollowingme.Why?”Kumar,Ratri’sloyalservant,lookeduncertain.“BecauseRatriknowswhatyou

allareuptoandshewantstokeepyouincheck.”Ratrikneweverything?“How?”“She’snotstupidandignorantwhenitcomestoallthelongmeetingsyouhave

with your so-called friends. And your friend doesn’t have the common sense tokeephismouthshut.”

Bala.Arjanstruckhishead,sittingonthegravellypath.“TellherI’msorry.”

“Shedoesn’tneedyour sorry.Sheneedsa foolproofplan.Doyouhaveone?Thebigmansaiditconcernedexplosives,andshegotscared,eventhoughhetriedhisbesttoallayherapprehensions.”

Arjancouldn’tbelieveBalahadgonebehindtheirbacks.Andforwhat?Amereinfatuation?

“Whatdoyoumean?”“She can help.”Kumar patted his shoulder,with a grin. “Shewants to fund

yoursiege,whereveryouplantogowiththesebandits!”“Andwhywouldshedothat?”“Shehasnochoice,”Kumarsaid.“AndalsobecauseofLakshmi.”Ofcourse!Arjan saw Padma had rushed outside as well; perhaps she had seen Arjan

stormingfromthetavern.Padma,whenshewitnessedKumarinfrontofher,wasinstantly flustered. She didn’t say anything, and Arjan saw Kumar was justgrimacingatPadma.

“We can have all the long silences once we get our work done,” Arjanannounced.

“What’shappeningnow?”Padmaasked.ArjanpattedtheyoungYaksha.“Hejustgotourbanker.”

Kalkiwasstandinginthemidstofawasteland.Horrorseizedhimasherealizedthewastelandwas similar to one that reminded him ofMahayudh: acres of desertedfields, sprawling with bloody corpses, crimson pools of semi-dried blood, dullsmokyskiesandshatteredchariots.Horribleas itwas,Kalki foundsympathyandsynchronicitywithhisgrief.Thiswasaplaceofsadness,hethought.

“Mostwarsarefoughtoutofoverindulgenceofdesires,”asmoothvoicespokefromhisbehindhim.

Kalkiturnedtoseeastrangeman,withafluteandayellowhead-cover.Ithadapeacockfeatherjauntilystickingoutononeend.Hewalkedcasually,withnomarksandbruisesonhisbody.

“What is this?”Kalki askedLordGovind,oneofhisAvatars, the last of theAncients.

“What it exactly represents.”Govinddid not smile, even though therewas ahintofsardonichumouronhisface.“Nothing.It’snothing.”

Kalkididn’trealisewhyhewasseeingGovindwhenheconcentratedtogobackandpracticesubconsciouslywithLordRaghav.ButKalkididn’tmeantoaskLordGovind.

“WhyhaveIbeenbroughthere?”

“For thisoutcome is to comeagain.”Govind swivelledhishead towards thecarnage,andtherewasaflashofirritationinhiseyes,beforeitdiedaway.“Andyouwillbethere.”

Kalkipaused.“WhatamIsupposedtodo?”Govind walked over to the other side, without answering Kalki’s question.

KalkirealizedthatGovindwaskneelingdownnexttoacorpse,whichturnedoutwasaliveandinneedofwater.Outofthinair,GovindmanifestedwaterandKalkisawhowexactlyhedid it.Theblood thatwas spilt, coiled inmid-air, asGovindclosed his eyes, chanted till the ball of blood turned to a ball of water. With aswirling mass of mud from the ground, he created a jug and poured the waterinside.He then tilted theman’s head andmade himdrink it.And then themanturnedintoacorpseaswell,hisfeetandarmsgrowingcoldandnumb.

Govindclosedtheman’seyesandturnedtofaceKalki.“Whatwedon’trealiseisthatthategocanmakeusfeelbetter,buthelpingcanmakeusinspireothers.”

He stood up, looking atKalki. “What should you dowhen the time comes?You should wait and you should learn. Never hasten your actions on a course,otherwiseyouwill stumble.Whateverhappens,happens for thebest.Fornow, itmaysoundludicrous,butyearslater,youwillagreeitwastimewellspent,eachandeverymoment.”

“WhatiftheykillmebeforeIreachmydestination?”GovindwalkedtoKalki,squaringuptohimashefacedhim.“Youneedtobe

quick,rememberthat.”Andwithasharpflickofhishand,Govindpunchedhim.KalkiwasastonishedforamomentbeforeherealizedwhatGovindhadjustdone.

“Also,youneedtobesmart.Wordsaremightierthanswords,rememberthat.Usethemwiselyandyou’llbeabetterwarriorthanyoualreadyare.”

Kalkinodded.Itwasodd,standingintheemptywastelandwithamanwhowasjustaprojectionofhismind.HewassayingwhatKalkiwantedhimtosay.Itwashowitworked.Sure,theimageshadasenseofcoherenceassociatedwiththeactualhistory,buttheywereelevatedandenhancedbyKalki.

And then, just like that, he was sucked into a void, jerked hard, his backstraining as he realized he had hit the granite floor, staring at the pit hole ofIndragarh’s prison. Kalki was glad the person in the next cell had been able toescape,althoughitmadehimjealous.WherewereArjan,KripaandBala?Hewasdependingonthem,butnothinghadhappenedtillnow.

Dayshadpassed.Andwhilehebegantotrailhislongnailsovertheground,tryingtogetridof

the boredom, he heard the sound of the sandals that had caused him so much

worry.Hesaw,infrontoftheirongrills,noneotherthanDurukti,lookingathimwildly, but without any guards with her. The one who stood at the gates wasdismissedbyDurukti.

“My lady, we have been instructed by Lord Kali to not move regardless ofanything,”oneofthemsaid.

Duruktisaid,“Doyouknowme?”“Uh,yes,mylady.”“ThenyouknowIcancutyourheadoffforspeakingbeforeme.Leaveright

now,forImustspeaktotheprisoneralone.”The Naga shrivelled with fear and with a slight nod, he made way outside.

Duruktisatattheoppositesideofhiscell,herlipslookingfull,hereyeswideandblossomingandherfacemuchpalerthanusual.Duruktiwasafraid.Kalkicouldseeshewastryingtohideherangerandfear.

Kalki,regardlessofthehistorybetweenthemtillnow,slowlystaggeredovertoherside,tryingtocatchhergaze,whichsherefusedtomeet.

“Iapologizeforeverything,”shebegan,afraidtoevenmoveherlipsproperly.“It’sallright.”Kalkicouldn’tholdagrudgeagainstheranymorethanhecould

holditagainsthisbrother.Everyonehadapathandeveryonemadechoicesanditwasn’therfaultthatherchoicehadledtosuchconsequences.Weallareheroesandweallareevil,inonewayortheother.Duruktihadtriedsohardtoavoidthewar,butwitheverystep,Kalkihadtamperedwithandhumiliatedherandyethereshewas,apologizingtohim.

“Ishouldhavelistened.Kalihasgonemad.Hehadneverhitme,eventhoughIhave not been the perfect sistermost of the times, and yet a few days back, hemanaged todo the same.Hehasnever taken a rashdecision, such asharming avillageboylikeyoufornopurpose,andyethe’sdoingit.Hehasgotatwistedsenseofreasoningbehinditandthereisnomethodtohismadness.”

Kalki,asfarashecouldfathomfromwhateverhadhappenedbetweenhimandKali, feltKaliwasthreatenedbyKalki.Andbythreat, itseemeditwasemotionalandphysical innature.SomeonemusthavewarnedhimaboutKalki.Andonthebasis of insane threats, Kali was taking the desperate actions of repelling Kalki.Somawastakingitstolloverhisheadperhaps,orperhapshewastakingtoomuchandbeingsubjecttoallsortsofdelusions.

“Don’t worry.”He tried to pat her arm, but it clanged against the bars andcausedasmall sparkofnoise.Hepulledhishandsback, regrettably.“He’s takingmetothetrial.”

“Iknow,”shesaid,disapprovingly,noddingherhead.“I supposeweneed to

do something about it.” She paused. “I apologize for everything. I apologize forcomingtoyourvillage,hurtingyou,breakingallyourhomes.Ishouldn’thavedonethat.Ican’tforgivemyself,muchasIwantto.Ihatemyselffordoingthat.Iwasthinking of protecting my brother, that was my goal. And I didn’t care. I can’tbelieve I letmy love formybrother, overpowerme. Itwas allwrong. I know. Iapologize for thinking that Iwas…uh…Iwouldexhibityou forentertainment. Iwouldn’thave.Iwasmockingyou.Why?Therearetimeswhenpeopledohorriblethingstosomeone,buttheydon’tmeanit.Theyjustwantareactionperhaps,andthat’swhatIwantedfromyou.Ishouldn’thavedonethat.Ishouldhaveleftyouthere.”Shepaused,sniffling.“HethinksIlikeyou.Andthat’strue.Ilikedyou,butnot in a romantic sense. I liked your passion, your integrity, your caring naturetowardsyourpeople.ItremindedmeofallthethingsIwanttoseeinaperson,butsomething it ishard tosee, sincenosuchperson trulyexists.Everyone is selfish.Youweren’t.You cared.You actuallydid. I thoughtwhat if thisboywasonmyside?Howmanywonderscouldwehaveachieved?Evenintherealmofsearchingforselflessness,Iwasbeingselfish.WhatahypocriteIam!”

Kalkididn’tsayanythingforawhile.“Speak,Kalki.”Kalki swallowed a lump, trying to choose the right words. “It’s all right;

whateverhappened,ithappened.ButIneedtoescape,Durukti.”“Iknow.Iknowyoudo.”Duruktiturned,wipinghertearsandfacinghim.“Doyouhaveanyideas?”For a moment, Durukti hesitated, but then nodded. “Yes.” She stood up,

before proceeding to unlock the door that held him inside the cage. As it wasopened,Kalkirealizedhehadtohavehischainsopenedaswell,butDuruktihadbought amini axe with her, with which she began to break off the chains. Shestruggledwithit;herfeeblehandswerenotupforthetask.

“Letmedoit,”Kalkisaid.TimewasoftheessenceandDuruktiwasdelaying.Sheshothimalookoffauxcontempt.“Nevercondescendtheonewhofrees

you:theyhavethepowerofkeepingyouinside,aswell.”Kalki grinned as she finally broke the chains. Once it was loosened, Kalki

himselftoretheotherpartsofthechainandthengrabbedthemanaclearoundhisneck,pullingitapart.KalkiturnedtofaceDurukti.Herpalecheekshaddriedtears,herkohlwassmeared,butshewasimpressedbyKalki’sstrength.

Itwasover,andforthefirsttimeinthelongesttime,Kalkifelthisanklesandhiswristsweretrulyfree.Hebegantomassagethem,asagrinswipedoverhisface.

“Wemustleavenow,beforesomethinghappens,”Duruktisaid.

Asshewasabouttomoveforthedoor,Kalkigrabbedherhandsandpulledhertohimself,embracinghertightly.Foramoment,herbodyfrozebywhatKalkihadjustdone,but then itwarmedup, andcarelesshands ranacrosshis toplessback.Kalki likedher touch,butheknew itwas the same touch thathadmurderedhisLakshmi. Kalki pulled himself back, struggling to pull up a smile as she lookedflusteredherself.

“Thankyou.”Therewasasenseofacuteandheartfeltacknowledgementonhispart.

Duruktinoddedinreturnandbegantomovefromthecage.Inmatesbegantorattle their cages, yelling and scowling atKalki, who has been freed before evenundergoing a trial. It was fun walking on his legs rather than being forced anddraggedacrosstheground.

Shovingthegrillgatesaside,Durukti tookKalki to thefieldwhere theNagaswerestandingasguards.Dodgingthem,Duruktihadmanagedtotakehimout intheopen,rightnexttothedoor,whenshefrozeinhorror.

Kalkirealisewhy,whenhepeereddownthealley.Infrontofthem,fittedwithtorches, battle armour, axes and spears, Kalki sawMartanja. He didn’t look thesamelikethelasttime.Hiseyedefecthadbeenhealedmiraculously,andheseemedtoradiatevitality.HesawMartanjatakeasipfromavial,whichKalkirealized,heldSoma.

It’shappeningalloveragain.AmalevolentgrinplayedacrossMartanja’sfaceashewhistled,andthearmyof

Rakshasseparatedonbothsides, leadingafigure toenter thesceneandconfrontDurukti.

Itwasherbrother.“Hello,”herasped.Hehad gone completely bald since the last timeKalki had seenhim andhis

skin had turned blacker than the sky, with his crimson-tinted eyes contrasting ithorrifically.

“Grabthem.Anddon’tkill theboy.”Kali’sredeyesstaredathim.“Hehasatrialtomorrowmorningtolookoutfor.”

AndKalkirealizedthathisfutileattemptatescapehadjustledhimtohisdeath.

Inthemorningwhenthesparrowssungandtheowlsslept,Arjanlearnthisbrotherwasabouttobehung,drawnandquartered.

And he had no idea how to respond to it. The numbness was surely whatoverwhelmedhim,butitwasalsothefactthatnothingcouldbedonetohelpKalki.Withaheavyheart,hestoodfarfromthemudkeepwheretheSomaswerekept,circledarounditaimlessly.Heknewhehadtodosomething.KripawasathissidewithPadmaandBala.Ontheotherend,theMlecchasguidedbyDattatreyastood,calmly. They had theirweapons sheathed,waiting for the signal. Therewas onlyonedoorandthathadtobeattacked.

Arjan had his sickle, wrapped with coconut husk ropes. He held it like ascimitar.

HesawtheRakshasonthetopofthekeep,trainingtheirarrowstowardsthem,perhapswaitingforsomeonetoattack.Andtheywould.

“Thetrialstartsatsundown,”Arjansaidtothem.“Weneedtodothisfastandbesuccessfulatit.”

“Wewill.”Kripa sounded stern. “And ifwe don’t,we can all have a hoorahaboutit…um…”HelookedatArjan’spuzzledfaceaswellasPadma’s.“Let’shopeitdoesn’tcometothat,eh?”

Arjan began to move closer to the keep, while the Mlecchas followed him.Arjanactedasifnothingwaswrong,lookingattheapplecart,whenhesawabell-tollersituatedat theedgeof thekeep.Hehadtobeexecutedfirst, sonobackupwouldbecalledbyothers.

Sighinghard,ArjanwasmetbyDattatreyabeforehecouldevendosomething.“Thisisabadplan,aye?Yousaidlateratnight,notmorning.”“Iknow.Butmybrotherisabouttodieifwedoitlater.AndIcan’thavethat,”

Arjan’sblazingeyesmadeDattatreyastepback.HehadaprejudicedangertowardsDattatreya already, even though Dattatreya was right. There was no plan, nomethod to this attack. This was going in, killing and getting out, hopefully notlosingtheirlivesinthebargain.Thiswasasuicidemissionwithnocoordination.

“Willyoucomewithmeornot?”Arjanasked.Dattatreyahesitated,hiseyesandmouthcontortingintothoughtfulness.Arjan

shruggedandturnedtoKripaandPadma.Hecameforward,thistime,drawinghisspear.Thegatekeepers,twoRakshaswithlongswords,cameforward.

“Whatareyoudoing,boy?Leavebeforeyouregretit.”Arjanfirmlysankhisfeettotheground.Hedidn’tmove.Infact,foramoment,

hecouldn’tmove.Hementallygoadedhimselftoadvance.OneRakshascameforwardandfromwhatArjanhadlearntfromKripa,Arjan

swunghisspearandstabbedtheRakshas,destroyinghismouthwithhisweapon.At thatmotion, everyonewas alarmed. Instantly the secondonehad appeared infront of Arjan. He lurched at Arjan and tried to dissuade him by attacking himcontinuouslyuntilArjanhadtousehisspearandstrikeathishead,rippinghisskinoff.

ArrowswererainedtowardsArjan,andhekeptblockingitwiththecorpseofthe Rakshas, letting the arrows hit the back of it. Arjan realized the arrows hadstoppedandtherewasthesoundofheavyfootsteps,chantingandhooting.ArjansawtheentirearmyofMlecchaswasarrivingat thegates, someknockingoff theRakshasthatappearedatthegatewhileothersshotuparrowsatthekeep,knockingtheguardsover.Thebell-tollerwasthefirstonetobekilled,shotinthehead.

ArjanwashelpedinthefrontandpulledupbyDattatreyawhonodded,beforegoinginsidethegates.ArjansawhewasaccompaniedbyPadmaandKripa.

“Goodgoing,”Padmaremarked,almostwithasmirk.Bala took the initiative of breaking the doors to the dome. But they were

attacked by the gatekeepers, who pounced on them in a surprise attack. Balagrabbed one Rakshas, of the same height as him, while with his other hand hegrabbedtheotherone.Balashowednoanguishashechoked themwithhisbare

hands. In thatmoment,Arjan forgaveBala for revealing their plans toRatri andcausingthemtobeintrouble.Butthen,BaladiditoutofgoodnessandforRatri.Eventuallyshewasbroughtroundtoagreeingtotheplan,andsheevenagreedtofinancetheMlecchas.

Bala came to the door and using his mace, he struck at it repeatedly. Thewooden door creaked and finally splintered, leading to a flight of stairs that leddownwards.Withaquickcheckaroundthem,ArjansawtheMlecchaswereclearlylosing,lessinnumberandnotnearlyenoughtofendofftheRakshas.TheyhadtojustholdthemofftillArjancouldputenoughSomainthesackandleave.

Balawasfirst,readytodescendintodarkness,aidedbythefaintlightfromthefire lamps. Padma took one for herself, pulling it from its iron handles. Thestairwaysmelledofdeadratsandsewage.Horribleasitwas,thesilencecameoffasworse,nearlyunsettlingallofthemaftertheloudclamouroffightingfromawhileago. For amoment, hewas blind until he realized the staircase led to a passage,wider in size, the ceiling quite low.Bala had tobendhis thick knees and crouchwhilehewalked.

Arjan realized thepassage leakedoil andwater. FiveRakshas stood aheadofthem,waitingtoattackthem.WhilePadmasomersaultedandcameinbetweentheRakshas’ legs, climbingon their backs and attacking them, itwasKripa used thesword to attack them,wielding it superbly,with an elegant flick of hiswrist.Hedeflectedandspunwebsofattack,swingingsofastthattheRakshasgotconfused.Arjanusedhisprowessatthatmoment,sweepingdown,ashedraggedthescimitaracrosstheRakshas’loinsandrippingtheirprivatesapart.ItwashorribleandArjanlookedawayindisgust.Onemorecameontohim,pushedhimagainstthewall,buthewaspummeledbyBala’smace.

Sweat had drenched their clothes, as they all made their way deep into thepassage,afterkillingtheRakshas.Now,sincetheRakshashadattackedthemonce,they knew their weak points. They knew that they could not be attacked in astraight-forwardmanner,butcouldbetakendownwithanelementofsurprise.Itwasn’t likeShambala,wheretherewerenotrainedmenandwomen.Here,allfivewereusedtotheirweapons,evenArjan,whocouldn’tbelievehisownproficiencyatwieldingthesickle,whichhehadtransformedintoamakeshiftscimitar.

Thecandlesacrosstheendofthepassagedimmedastherewasanotherdoor,more like a rock-slab, that hid something behind it. Balawas the first one to goforward,totrytomoveitwithajerk.Butitdidn’twork.ArjanhelpedaswellwhileKripaandPadmastoodinfrontofit.Astheslabmoved,anotherRakshaspouncedtowardsPadma,grabbingherbytheshoulderandthrowingherontheground,his

bladenexttoherneck.“Donotmove!”theRakshasgrowled.“Yourwomanshalldie.”“Tobefair,”pantedKripa,perhapsoftheexhaustion,“wedon’treallylikethe

lass,mate.Youcantakeheralongwithyouifyouwant.”Therewasahintofdefiance in theRakshas’ face.But thenhegrinned.“You

lie,oldman.Youareafraid.Itisevident.”“Whatdoyouwant?”Arjansteppedforward.“I want to leave,” the Rakshas whimpered, when Padma, instantly sensing

weakness,kneedhim.Hegroanedandwasabout tohitherwhenBalaswunghismace and struckhimhard.Hewas flung across thepassage, his backhitting thefloor.Hemusthavebecomeunconscious,forhedidn’tevenstir.

“Iwasabouttosaveyou,”Arjansaid,defensively.“Yeah,yeah,”Padmashrugged,leadinginsidewheretheSomaawaited.Arjanenteredandhiseyesbeheldasmallroom,butpackedtillthedoor’sedges

withcarvedstoneslabs,ofdifferentsizes,withbluecolouredliquidbrimmingover.For amoment,Kripa stayed therenext tohim,dumbstruck. “Dearme,wemeetagain,” he whispered and Arjan didn’t understand what he meant. But then heinstantlywalkedfurtherandbegantobreakthemouldsoftherock.

“Sothisistheeternalgiftof…”ArjanelbowedBala,whowasspeakingwithoutthinkinginfrontofPadma,whowasstillinawe.

“Thesearenotreallyherbs,”shesaid,perhapsreferencingtoaconversationshehadwithsomeoneelse.“Whatarethese?”

“Ingredients,Itoldyou,lass,”Kripasaid,bendingdown.“Whyaretheysowellg-uarded?”Padmaasked,herhandsholdingthefirelamp.“Because they can lead to a lot of destruction, if handled carelessly,” Kripa

sighed,shakinghisheadashecarefullytouchedtherocks,easilyabletopullitofffromtheslabsand resting iton the floor.He tied the sackandnoddedatArjan.“Wearedone.”

By this time, Arjan had knelt down and tasted the water that had surfacedunderneaththerocks.Itwasoil.

“Idon’tgetit.Whyisitleakingoil?”“Because, mate, these rocks aren’t ordinary,” Kripa said, “they are made of

fumesandoil.Iamnotreallycertainwhytheyleachoil,buttheydoanditmakesithorriblyflammable.”

“AndleaveallthispowertoKalirighthere?”Arjansaid.“That’sunacceptable.”Balahadhisarmscrossed,hismacedangling fromhisbelt.“Brother is right,oldman.Weshoulddosomethingaboutthis.”

“Wecanworryaboutthatlater,mate.Fornow,letusjustcareaboutwhatwehavetodo,”Kripagrunted,movingforthedoor.“Youalldon’tplantoleave?TheMlecchaswon’tstayuptheredefendingusforever.Solet’sgetonwithit.”

Noneofthemmoved.Arjanchided,“Weneedtodosomething.”“Likewhat?”Kripascowled.Andthen,Padmadidtheunexpected.Shedroppedthelampdown,lettingthe

oil and fire mix together until the soma stones began to be engulfed in brightorangeflames.

“Likethis,”Padmasaid,asortofcalmmenacetakingoverherfacialfeatures.Kripa’seyeswidenedwhileArjanstaggeredtothefront,leavingtheroomasa

fireball exploded across it. Arjan shouted, “We need to close the room down,otherwiseit’sgoingtohurtusandspreadtotheupperlevels.”

Balascurriedinthecornerandbegantomovetherockslabthathehadmovedasideearlier.Arjanhelpedhim,butthehotburningrocksjustflewoutoftheroom.OneofitevenmanagedtohitKripa’sarm,whowasstandinginfrontoftheroom.“I’veneverseenasightlikethis.”

“Wellyoucanstopcaringaboutthesightandhelpus.”ArjanpushedtherockasPadmajoinedhim,butKriparemainedstucktothespot.

“Icouldhavedone thisyearsago,butIdidn’t,”hewhispered tohimself, thesoundofhisvoiceappearingmuffled.“Whydidn’tI?PerhapsIwasafraidbecauseI just didn’t want it to be destroyed. Perhaps I wanted it to be right here inIllavarti,”hewashavingafit,withavoicethatwasbarelyhuman,“forIjustwantedthemtobeusedbythepeopleagain,whentheDarkAgewouldbeover.PerhapsIsawtoomuchhope,”hepaused,“butisthereanyleft?”

And the slabwasputback inplace finally.Arjan sighed, theheat suffocatinghim, but he panted hard. He couldn’t see or think for a moment, the smokeobfuscatinghismind.Henoddedandstoodup,reachingouttoKripaandshakinghimup.“Whatwasthatabout?”Arjansaid,lookingdeepinhiseyes.Theoldmanhad secretsArjanwasnot awareof andhedidn’t like that.NowArjan feltwhatRatrihadbeenfeelingearlier.

Kripa looked at him, his eyes glassy with confusion. “I don’t know. Ajustificationofmyactions,perhaps.”

Leavingtheholetheywerein,Arjanfoundhimself inthecesspoolofcorpses

andbloodthatsurroundedhiminthedome.Hewalkedoverthespiltblood,hisgutwrenchingtightlyatthesight,hisnosecoveredtostaveoffthestench.HereachedoutsideandfoundDattatreyawithlimbscutoffandhiseyesgougedout.Hehadn’tsurviveandArjancouldn’thelpbutfeelawfulforhim.

Death allowed you to feel anger and sadness at the same time. He neverthoughthewouldfeelbadforaMlecchaandyetthissiegehadmadehimfeeljustthat.

“Wehaveworktodo,brother,”Balasaid,pattinghisshoulders.Arjan nodded, walking alongside his friends, leaving the keep, while the few

straggling onlookers watched the survivors of the bloodbath. And then hewitnessedthesungoingdownandmostofthecitizensrushingforthetrialwhichwas happening on the other side of the city. They were late and Arjan couldn’tunderstandhow,sincetheyweredownthereforjustawhile.Butthen,timedoesn’twait for anyone. The authorities ofKali would knowwhat had happened to hispreciousSoma,butonlyperhapsafterthetrial.

“We are late,”Arjan said, watching the sundown.Kripa andBala exchangedglances,whilePadmadidn’tcare.

“Iknowmate.”KripaglancedatPadma.“Ineedyourhelpandyourhelp,”helookedatBala.“Ineedyourhelptoo,Arjan.ForallIknow,IneedeverybitofhelpIcangettomakewhatIhavetomakesowecangothere…”

“Holdon.We?”Padmawasconfused.“Iwaswithyouallonlytillhere.”Kripa looked up, gritting his teeth. “Lass, whatever intentions run in your

blood,letmetellyousomethingimportant,very,veryimportant.Yourmiseryisalotsmallercomparedtowhatwehaveundertaken.Wearesavingthesaviourofourworld.”

Itsoundedridiculouslypompous,especiallytosomeonewhowasnotawareoftheirbackgroundortheircircumstances.

“What kindof a saviourneeds saving? I probablydon’twant tobe savedbyhim,”Padmaprotested.

“He’s justnotready,”Kripaexplained,bringingthesacktothecorner,forhewas unable to hold it for too long. Arjan put his hand over Padma’s shoulder,beseechinghertounderstand.Padmafrownedandthennoddedinagreement,afterlookingatBala,whohadsavedherwhentheRakshashadattackedher.

“WhatdoIhavetodo?”“Yeahwhatshouldwedo?”Arjanasked.Kripagrinned.“Whatwealwaysdo.Weimprovise.”

The trials involved ahefty amountofbloodshed.Theydidn’twait for you.Theydidn’thuntyoudown.Theyhadalreadyhuntedyouandyouweretheirexhibitsofenjoyment.Buttherewastension,Kalkicouldsee,asthejudgeswerecalledduringthe trial. There was the jury on the east side, on a pedestal, all of them sittingtogetherinahuddle.Thecitizens,thepeopleofthecity,werealittlefarofffromthepodium,whichwasthemainarenafortheaccusedtostandonandspeakinhisdefence.Thejurywouldthendecideandthejudgewouldexecute.

KalkiwastheonlyonewhohadfourNagasaroundhim,swordspointedathisneck.Otherprisonerswatchedhimincallousenjoyment,grinningwiththeirhalf-rottenteeth.Hewasstandingamongstthescumoftheearthandhehatedit.Therewasa lineofprisoners ready for their trial andateverymoment, somewouldbeflogged, while others would be stoned. The ones who had raped, pillaged ormurdered, were given death. Which made his predetermined death sentenceawkward,andwithoutanylogicguidingit.

He saw a strangewomanwith blue eyes, sitting on a snake-motif embeddedthrone,alongwithafatmanwithabaldheadandamongoosewrappedaroundhisneck.TherewasVedanta,whomhe could recognize from the sculptures, the so-calledpuppet king.Then therewasMartanja, sittingwithDurukti, forcingher to

watchtheproceedings.Themanbefore him appeared in themiddle andbegged formercy, kneeling

down,handsclaspedtogether.“Ididnotknowshewasachild.Ididnotknowofit. I apologize, oh great lords, for I have sinned against the state and against theLordslikeofyou,”hecriedwithpassion.

Kalkididn’tknowwhathiscrimewasnorwasitrevealedinhiswords.ThejurynoddedatKaliwhosaid,“Ihaveseenalotofevilinmydaybutnever

hasevilbeendefinedclearlyorunderstood.Whatisevil?Idonotbelieveweliveina landofevil.We live ina landofability.Webelievegreed isevil,but then isn’tgreedwhatwestrivefor,tomakemoney?Webelievelustisevil,butthenisn’ttheentireworld lustful,sinceweconstantlyseektoentertainourdeepestdesires?Wearehypocrites.But Ibelieve that evil isnothing, that allofus are the same.Andthatweneedtobejusttoindividualslikethisman.Youarefree,man.Leave,butwithfiveyearsofdutyinKingVedanta’sarmy,forhecoulduseaforgivenmanlikeyou.Brandhim!”

Atthat,themanwashappyandrejoiced,ashewastakenawaybytheNagas.BehindKalki, anotherman said to him, “Can’t believe hewas given an out.

Lordseemsinafinemoodtoday,youarelucky.”“Whatdidhedo?”Kalkicouldn’tseewhowasattheback,butheaskedabout

theprisonerwhohadjuststoodforthetrial.“Rapedachild,”said theprisoner.“There’snoheavenorhell forpeople like

him.ButIthinkthisiswherehe’ssupposedtobe.”Kalkiclenchedhisteeth.“Whyaren’ttheylettingtheircrimesbeknown?”“Don’tknowmuch,man.”And then Kalki’s name was called out and Kali, who sat in the middle,

comfortablyleanedforwardandgrinned.Kalkistoodonthegroundwhilethejudges,theapparentcustodiansofjustice

inthiskingdom,watchedoverhim.Theskywasdull,theeveninghadcomeforth,andthestarswereconcealedunderathicklayerofsmokyclouds.

“Before you begin your defence, prisoner, Iwould like to tell the jurors thatthey should not bemercifulwith thisman.He is a slaughterer ofmany ofLordRaktapa’smen,inasiegemysisterhadundertakenfortheprotectionofourpeople,sincehewasleadingarebellionagainstthestateandtheempireofKingVedanta.”

Thekinghadnoreaction.Hewassimplyboredandlookedlikehewouldratherbesomeplaceelse.

“Andtherebeldeserves thehighestpunishment; for thestate is theonly truesourceofgoodwill,”Kalisaid.

And thatwaswhen the blue-eyedwoman snapped in between, as if shewaswaiting forKali to finish andwhen he didn’t, she got irritated. “I would like toknowonwhatgroundstheaccusationhasbeenmade.”ThatwasLadyManasa,thebrotherofLordVasuki.Theflagbearerintroducedeachjudgeinthecouncil.Eachmemberhadtheirowninsigniaonaflag,whichheldsomerelationwiththeirtribe,exceptforKali,whohadastrangeflagofanowlonatreewithablazing,blood-redsunattheback.Kalkididn’tunderstandwhatitmeant.

“Grounds?”Kali narrowed his eyes. “Grounds, you say? I have awitness toprovemywordsright.Callmydearsisteronthestand.”

KalkisawMartanjapushingDuruktisoftlywithaneedle-likeweapon.Shecameforward,herfaceweary,afterspendingtheentirenightsleepless.Kalkirecalledhowthey had been caught and howKali had ridiculed that Durukti was an absolutedisappointment to him.Durukti should be dead for treason, but he forgave her,lockedher intheroomandthrewKalkibackeventhoughhetriedfightingthem.TenRakshashadcomeforwardtostopKalkiandhewasagainleftinsidethecell.MartanjahadplayedabigpartincontrollingKalki,forhehadenormousstrength,more thanKalki now.And he had punched him so hard; thatKalki had almostspewedhisgutsout.

“Speak,”Kaliordered.Manasa began, with a motherly voice. “Don’t let fear trammel your words,

darling.Saywhatyoufeel,”ShepausedandKalkifeltManasawasonhersideforamoment.Butwhy?DidshehaveherownissuewithKali?

Kaliscoffed.Durukti gazed at Kalki and for a moment, they shared a moment of

understanding.KalkiknewDuruktiwoulddo the right thing,perhaps, shewouldsaysomethingthatwouldmanoeuvrehissituationagainstKali.

“Yes.KalkiHariisamurderer,”shesaid,takingdeepbreathsasaheavyweightcrushedKalki’sheart.“Hehadrebelledagainstaroyalarmyandhewascaught.HehadbeenplanningtreasonforalongtimeandwasabadinfluenceoneveryvillagerinShambala.”

Everyonehooted.Theybegan to throw rocks and rotten apples atKalki.Heclosedhiseyesandshookhishead.Therewasnowayoutofthis.

“Areyousure,mydear?”askedManasa,softly,tryingherbesttoseperatethelies.

“Yes,”eachwordcameout,clearlyenunciated.“I’msure.”Kali clapped. “There you have it! We have a reliable witness, the keeper of

villages intheprovinceofKeekatpurwhohastestifiedagainsttherebel.Whatdo

youdecide,jury?Whatshouldwedo?”Kalkiwantedtospeak,buthischainedhandsandhishorriblesituationdidn’t

lethim.Herealizeditwasn’tjustdeathKaliwanted.Hecouldhavedonethatintheprisonitself.Martanjacouldhavestabbedhim.Noonewouldhaveknown.

No.He wanted humiliation for Kalki. He wanted Durukti to betray Kalki. He

wanted all of it happening inpublic, so that he could relish it.Thiswasnot justaboutpower.Kalkiwaswrong.Kalididn’tthinkhewasthreatened.Hewantedtoshowhewasthethreatandwhatbetterwaythantodoit inpublic?Sadismdidn’thavelimitsandevenhebrokeallofthem.

“Let the boy plead for his defence, as the rules suggest,”Manasa intervenedagain.

KuveraandVedantawereawkwardlysittingdown,whenKuverasaid,“Ithinkthechargesareallcorrect,andwedon’treallyhavetohear…”

Kali raised his hand. “It’s all right. Let the filth speak.” There was a hugecacophonyofsounds,comingfromthepeople.

“Silence!”heyelledandhisvoice stoppedall thepeople fromeven fidgeting.“Good.Speaknow.”

Kalki lookedatManasa,whose limphandwaswrappedwithastrangepurplecloth.Shewaswaitingforhimtosaysomething,anythingthatwouldhelphiscase.“Myfatherdiedafewmonthsback.”Kalkibegan.“HewasattackedandkidnappedbytheMlecchas.Irescuedhim,but itwastonoavail,sincemytriumphovertheMlecchashadledtohisdeath.That’swhatyoucallfate.ItwaswrittenbytheGodsthatwas supposed to die; andwhether I saved himor not, hewould die.That’swhathappenedhere.NomatterwhatIpleadorwhatIsay,nothingwillaffectthefinal decision for the jurors,” he signalled with his hand at the people, who sattogetherinahuddle,“fortheyarebribedorthreatenedbythegreatlordKali,”hemockedandspat,whilehismusclesrippledandstrained,andhisscarsglintedundertheremnantsofthedimfire lamps.“Idon’tknowifI’ve livedafull livebutI’veseenenoughevilinthisworldtoknowthatweneedachange.”

“Boringspeech,”Kalimuttered.“Killhim!”heorderedtheguards.Withthechainsthatwerewrappedaroundhisskin,hewaspulleddownbythe

Nagas. In front of him, Durukti grew restless and tried to move away fromMartanja, but he didn’t let her go.Kalki knelt down, and the very skies seemedbitter.He prayed toLordVishnu, as he heard the thundering sounds of the axewielder’sfootsteps;themanwhowascomingwiththeweaponofhisdeath.

“You don’t simply mean to kill him here?” Manasa protested. “This is

outrageous.Whyaren’ttheothercouncilmembersspeakingagainstthebiasesheldbyKali?”Butnoonespoke.Kalki couldalmost see their tails tucked inbetweentheirlegs.

Kalki’sheadwasputonananvil-likestructure,withhisneckcranedforwardsothattheaxecouldmakeacleansweep.Theaxewasplacedgentlyafewtimesoverhis skin, inpreparation for the final swing.Hecould seehis life flash in frontofhim.

Andthen,theaxecamefromabove,goingfuriouslytowardshisneck…Beforeitstopped.Kalkiopenedhiseyes,heartbeating,ashelookedupandsawtheaxemanwas

watchingtheskies,andevenDuruktihadstoppedfightingandwaslookingup.In themiddle of the skies, almost covered by dark clouds,Kalki could see a

swervingbirdmakingitswaytowardsthem.Theentirepublicwatchedinawe,andasKalki’seyesfocused,herealizeditwaslargerthananybirdhehadeverseen.

Itwasachariot.Anditwascomingthisway.Butthatwasn’tthemostsurprisingpartabouttheentirescene.Itwasthatthe

chariotwasheldnotbyhorses,butrathertwolongwingsonitsside.Usuallytheserotating,wing-likestructureswereusedtoattackalargenumberofenemiesontheground.Instead,hereitwasbeingusedtoflythechariot.

Andthenhesawhisfriends:noneotherthanArjanatthefront,withBalaandKripaattheback,holdingabowandarrowandspearrespectively.

Andthearrowwasnotforhim.ItwasdirectedtowardstheNagathatwasholdingKalkibythechains.IthittheskulloftheNaga,ashefellback,dyingonthespot.The chariotmanoeuvred in the air as another arrowwas shot from it to anotherNaga.ThechainsthatboundKalkiwereloosenedandhefeltstronger,sohepulledthethirdNagaandpunchedhimhard.Withnoonetoholdhimanymore,hebegantobreakthechains,butwasunsuccessful.

His eyes went across to the suspended chariot that had been propelled bySoma,thetell-talebluefumescomingoutfromtheback,cracklingwithenergy.Aladderwasthrowndown,whichKalkigrabbedonto.AndthatwasthetimeKalkirealizedthatMartanjawasrunningtowardshimatfullspeed.

“KILLHIM!”Kalistoodupfromhisseat.“Andbringthatbeautytome.”Arrowswereshotatthechariot.Butitwasnotaffected.Onewasabletobreak

its front, but it didn’t crash. Though now, asKalkiwas holding the edge of theladder,herealizedMartanjawasclose.

“Comeupfast!TheSomawon’tletitlastintheairforever,”yelledArjanfromtheinsideofthechariot.

“How did you even do it?” Kalki shouted back. “And also, for the love ofGods,moveforward!”

“KripacallsitaVimana,fuelledbySoma.Wejusthadtoburnthestonesinsidethechariot,leavingasmallopeningforthemtoreleasetheirpower.Wejusthadtofindachariotthathadnohorse.Andalso,yes,weintendtomove,”Arjangrinned.“Butwearen’tableto.”

Kalkicouldn’thelpbutgrin.Thechainswerepullingthechariotdownperhaps.Herealizedhehadtogetridoftheheavymetalthatwasstillattachedtohisbody.

“Ihavetogobackdown.Thechariotwon’tmoveotherwise.Waithereforamoment.”Kalki fellbackon thegroundandbegan to look for aweaponon theNaga.AndashecameforwardtowardsthedeadNaga,grabbingitsaxe,Martanjaappeared.

“VILLAGEBOY!”scowledtheRakshaschief.“Whatkindofmagicisthis?”Kalkididn’tknowhow toexplain it tohim.But then therewasno roomfor

explanationasMartanjacameforwardwitha twistedbladethathadmanyconicaledgestoit.HebegantothumpitacrossKalki’saxerepeatedly.

Kalkisomersaultedattheback.Thechainswerekillinghimandhisenergy.Thelarge blade came forward againstKalki’s face as he turned around.With a swiftmovement,hehittheaxeagainstMartanja’sknees.Martanjafellonhisfeet,buthestoodupagain,wipingthebloodofit.ItwassoquickthatKalkicouldn’twraphisheadaroundit.

Ineedtousemyweaknessasmystrength.With the use of the chains, he began to move it so rapidly that the chain

gatheredatremendousamountofmomentum.AndthenhedirectedthosechainsacrossMartanja’s face.Withaquicksweep, theysmackedhim inhis face.Hefellbackandcollapsedonthefloor.

Kalkithenusedtheaxeandbegantosmashitagainsttheironchains.AndheheardKali’sscream.“Don’tlethimleave!”Kalkiturnedtoseethatall

the council judges, and the jury had stood up; even the citizens were hooting,surprisedandelatedby suchcommotionandentertainment.Kalkibroke the firstpartofhischainandthenanother,beforesteppingoutofhisanklemanacles.ButhecouldseeMartanjawasstrugglingtogetupnow.

“Takeme.”Kalki’sgazesweptdownandhe realized itwasDuruktiwhohadreachedouttohim.“Please,takeme.”

Kalki,foramoment,thoughtaboutthetyrannyofKali,andhowhewouldbeprotecting her from his wrath by taking her away. But then, shewas the reasonLakshmi had died, along with all the village folks from Shambala. She was thereasonhewashere.

Buthehadtostopblamingher.

Kalkishookhishead.“Ifthere’sonepersonwhocanhelpKalirightnow,itisyou.Savehim.Andchangehimifyoucan.”

“You can’t leave me here. Please,” she begged, her hands folded together.“He’llkillmeordosomethingworse.Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowwhathewilldo.”

Kalkigrabbedher faceand lookeddirectlyather.“Iwillbeback.Thankyouforeverything.”Hekissedheronthecheekandthensprintedtowardstheladder,grabbingforit.Hedidn’thavethetimetoseeDurukti’sface.Andwhenheturnedaround,hesawMartanjawasreachingoutfortheladder.

The chariot manoeuvred forward, leaving the area over the podium.With aquick, fleeting jump,Martanja lurched from the podium towards the ladder.Hisjumpwas so high that he was able to grab the edge of the ladder. This led thechariottotiltviolently,but itstillmoved.Anditescapedthezonewherethetrialhadbeentakingplace,makingforthenorth.

Kalkiwas climbingon top, butMartanjawas faster.Withonehandover therope,hegrabbedKalki’sfeetandtriedtodislodgehim.Kalkidecidedtokickhim,but it didn’t work. He clutched his feet and sunk his serrated nails into Kalki’salready bruised ankle.Kalkimoaned in pain andwith his remaining strength, hepushedhimdown.Luckily, the flying chariot hadbeen goingover a tall buildingandMartanjafellonthat,rollingover.

KalkiandMartanjasharedaglanceofcontempt,whilehestayedtherewithhisweapon.

“Comeup,”Arjancalled.Kalkigrittedhisteeth.Ihavetoendthis.“Throwmeaweapon.”“Why?”“Justthrowit.”KalkilookedupandsawArjanwastossingasword.Kalkigrabbedit.Itwassheathedsothebladedidn’tslicethrowhishand.“Holditproperly.”“Letthechariotstayhere;reinitsomewhere.”“Reinit?”Arjan’svoicesqueaked.“Inwhatworlddoesthislooklikesomething

thatcanbereined?Wheredoyouplantogo?”Kalkipursedhislips.“Iplantoendthis.”Arjan shook his head in defiance, butKalki jumped from the ladder, and he

divedtothetopsurfaceofthemudbuilding,whereMartanjawasstanding.Kalkirolledoverthegroundandunsheathedhissword,hiseyesdown,hairdanglingoverhistemples.Hetossedthesheathaway,ashecameforward,withMartanjachargingathimaswell.

“Whatmadeyoureturn,coward?”Martanjagrinned.Histeethhadgrowndark,and his eyes had a certain dark energy, unlike the last time, when he would getnervousevenatthesightofDurukti.

“Youkilledmypeople.”“Idid.Thatwenchtoldmetoo.”“Shesaidtostop,butyoudidn’t.”Martanja shrugged. “Eh, I was doingmy duty, boy.Wouldn’t you have?My

men have their own minds as well. You can’t blame them for it.” He instantlyattackedKalki.Kalki deflected itwith his sword.Martanja steppedback, his feetmoving adroitly. “And also, if I could go back now, I would rape and murdereveryoneinthatbloodyvillagetogetwhatwasinthere.”

Soma!“I can see it’s infecting your mind.” Kalki came forward and hit the blade

againsthisblade,butitdidn’thelp.Hewasquick.“It isn’t. It makes me stronger,”Martanja said, as he finally leaped forward,

attackingKalki.ButKalkiknewwheretostopandhedid.Hedeflecteditagain.Thesoundof

clashingmetal roared in thesweepingwind,asMartanja tried tooverpowerKalkiwithhissword,untilKalkikneedhim.Martanjafellback,topplingoverattheback.Kalki came forward and again tried to plunge his sword inside Martanja, but itdidn’tstophim,andhegrabbedtheswordbyhishand.

“Asyoucansee,I’mnotordinaryanymore.”“Clearly.”KalkipulledbacktheswordwhileMartanja lickedthebloodonhis

hand.“Myancestorsbelievedthatbloodheldavitalcomponentofnutrientsthatissupposedtoeggonawarrior.”

“Isthatwhytheylooksogrotesquethemselves?”Kalkigrinned.“Tryingtobefunnywon’thelpyoutoescapethisreality;youarestuckwithme

here.”Kalki swung his sword,with his feet parted. “You arewrong.You are stuck

withme.”AndthenKalkicameforward,advancingtowardsMartanja.Hewasabletostabhimdeep insidehisskinandat thatmoment,Martanjagrabbedhimfromtheback,hisnailsdiggingintohim,astheybothfellfromtheedgeofthebuilding.

Kalkicouldfeelthefastwindwhippingagainsthishairashefinallyrealizedhehadfallenoverashack.HewatchedMartanja,whowasalreadystandingupbythenandwasmoving away fromKalki, staggering over the ground, dragging his half-deadfeet,scowlingandmumblingtohimself.

Kalki cameontohis feet, each joint of his bodyhurting.He couldn’t believe

howbadithurt.Kalkiroundedoffandrealized,hisblurryvisionreturningbacktofocus,thatMartanjahadhisswordembeddedinhisbody.

Hewasunabletowalkproperlyandwasgrabbingattentionofthecitizens,whowerewatchinghimwithdisgust and contempt.Martanjawasperhapsmakinghiswaybacktohisfort,tobehealed.

Butnotagain.Kalki looked at the weapon merchant, whose shop he had destroyed. “I

apologize,friend,”hesaidtothemanwhofrownedathim.AndthenKalki’seyesfellonthebowandarrow,madeofsimplebamboo,but

blood tainted. Itwasnotsimilar to theonehehadused inhisdreamswithLordRaghav, but itwas quite similar to theones thatweremadeduring theBattle ofShambala.

“CanIuseit?”Themerchantguffawedatthat.Kalkididn’treallycaresincehewentforthebowandstrungthearrowtoit.He

perchedonthesideoftheroad,hisfeetfirmlyplanted.Hisarmwasstraightandhisoneeyewasclosed.Hetookadeepbreath,calminghissenses.

And with a slow chant to Lord Vishnu, Kalki let the arrow loose. It wentstraight,hittingMartanjaontheskull,breakingthroughhisscalpandfinallymakinghimcollapse.

Kalki tried towalk as fast ashiswoundswouldpermithim, to seeMartanja,whowaslyingnearthegutter,hisbloodflowingoverhismouth,eyeslifeless.Theweakmoonlightshoneoverthecesspoolthathadbeencreatedbytheeventsofthenight.

Takingadeepbreath,Kalkirealizedhehadwonforthefirsttime.

Manasahadn’tcriedthedayherbrotherdied.Theyhadpromised,nomatterwhathappenedtoeachother,theywouldn’tshedtears.They’dbestrongandthey’dfightback.AndManasahadbeendoingthateversinceVasuki’sassassination.ItwasaclearplotbyKali,inwhichhehadbeenassistedbyKuveraandVedanta.Butnow,after what she had witnessed yesterday, not the suspended machine, but thesubmissive nature of the Yaksha andManav king, she was certain of one thing.TheywereafraidofspeakingoutagainstKali,asiftheyknewwhathewascapableof.Theydidn’twanttospeakagainsthiminfrontofhim,butManasaknewtheymightbeplottingtokillhimthefirstchancetheygot.

Manasawas callous about apprehending the prisoner, that village boy. Itwasherwayof showing shewouldn’t takedomination fromKali lyingdownmeekly.Shedidn’tcarewhotheprisonerwas.Clearly,though,hewasimportanttoKaliandthatintriguedManasamorethanthemundanecourtproceedings.

She knew she had to do something aboutKali.But perhaps, she has to takeKuvera and Vedanta on her side. The problem was, Kuvera no matter what,wouldn’teventalktoManasaproperly,letalonesidewithher.ThebattlebetweentheYakshas and theNagaswas ancient, goingback severalhundredyears.Therewasnostarttowhytheyhatedeachother,butKuverahaddoneaspitefulthingto

Manasa’stribebystealingtheirMani,whichthetribevaluedthemost.Manasawas sitting on the pedestal, her robes pooling over the groundwhile

shadowsformedoverthewalls.ManasaknewthatVasuki’sdeathwouldmeanmostofthenoblesinNaagpuriwouldbefightingovertheChiefstatus.ShehadtoreturnandfightforVasuki’shonor.

Should she fight or should she take revenge? Itwasmost confusing.Manasarestedherfunctioninghandoverhertemples,thoughtfullymusing,whensheheardasound.Itwasoffallingdustandbricks.Hereyesdarted,handwhippingtowardsthedaggerthatshehadsheathedfromherbelt,pointingittowardstheenemy,whohadappearedfromthewindow.

Lanky and slender in posture, the figure was familiar by the shawl thatconcealedtheface,andhertelltalesilverhair.Itwasnoneotherthanherspyandassassin,Padma.Thesilverhairwasknottedontopandapouchsaggedfromhergirdlewhere she kept all her antique currencies. She had sharp daggers sheathedandhangingfromherwaistandthighs.

“You could have sent me a note to informme that you were coming. Youdidn’thavetohideandenter,darling.”ManasasmiledweaklyatPadma.

“I’mpracticing.”For what, is the question. Padma was a determined girl, reminding Manasa

aboutherselfwhenshewasyoungandkeen tobeawarrior.Unlike theRakshas,who tamed their women, the Nagas had their equality priorities straight. Theybelievedwomenshould learnwarfareasmuchasmen.ButManasa, regardlessofherzestyattitude,wasleftbehindbecauseofherhandicap.

Manasasighed,realizingPadmawasinangst.“Whatiswrong?”“Iwasthereyesterday.Atthetrial,”Padmasaid.“Ididn’tseeyou.Youshouldn’tbeseenwiththathairofyoursanywhere,”said

Manasa,pointingtohereccentrichair.“Iwastheonesteeringthechariot,”shesaid.The chariotwas a deft presentationof science andmagic. She still couldnot

understandhowitwaspossible.ButPadma,bythelooksofit,hadnointentionofspeakingaboutit.

“Iknowitwasallveryshockingandnice,butthat’snotmyconcern.IwantyoutoknowthatIhavedonewhatyouaskedofme,”Padmasaid.

“What?”“IburntdownKali’slair,theonewhereheholdstheherbs.”Manasastoodup,elatedbyPadma’swords.Shewantedthehugtheurchin,but

thenshewastoodirtyforit.

“Dearme!Welldone,darling.”Shehadheardthatafterthetrialandthemishap,Kali’sangerhadgrownworse

whenherealizedsomethinghadgoneamissintheothersideofthecity,whichheheld dear. It wasn’t clear, but his steps were brisk and he escaped rather thandiscussingmuch about the turbulence.Vedanta andKuvera talked to each otherandwhileManasaeyedthem,Kuveraturnedbackandhedidn’thavehisannoying,triumphantsmirkanymore.Hewasfrowning.Andhewasafraid.

NomatterhowmuchshedespisedKali,whohadbecomesullenandugly,shewouldcongratulatehimfortamingKuveraproperly.

“Buttheywerenotherbs.Theywerestones,”shesaid,archingherbrows,nowwalkingthoughtfully.“Blueincolour,justlikeamaniorasapphire.”

“Naagmani?”“Whatisthat?”“PowerfulgiftedstonesbyLordShesha,”Manasasaid.“Theywerehardlyever

foundbyourpeopleandtheonewedidfindiskeptsafelyinourtemple.”Padmashookherheadasifherthoughtshadmuddled.“Idon’tknowaboutall

ofthat.IjustthoughtoftellingyouIdidmyduty.”“Formoregoldcoins?Ibroughtthem…”Manasareachedforapouchwhen

Padma’svoiceinterjectedher.“No.Idon’twantanyfancycoinsanymore.Iwantsomethingelse.”Manasaswivelledherhead.“Yes,dear?”“IwanttoknowwhatVedantaholdsmostdear.”Manasastayedstill,contemplating.Padmadidallofthisforareason.Shewas

afterVedanta.Shedidn’trevealitthenandevennowherimplicationwasfarfromdirect.

“Andwhatdoyouintendtodowithitthen?”Manasagentlyprodded.“That’smyconcern.”Sheremainedimpassive.Manasa knew she could send off Padma and if successful, she could cripple

Vedanta,justlikeshehaddoneearlier.“Allright,”Manasanodded.“HernameisUrvashi,hisonlydaughter.”PadmasmiledbackatManasa,beforeleavingbythewindow.Thesmilewasof

acknowledgment.Shedidn’tcaretolistenabouttheplans.AndbytheGods,ifshesucceeded,Manasawouldhaveonelessheadache.Ifshedidn’t,Manasawouldhavetofindanotherspyforherself.

Manasahadbeensummonedforthecouncilmeetinglateatnight.Itwasoddthathersleepinghourswerereplacedbyworkinghours.ButwithtwoNagasoldiersonherside,sheproceededtothechamberswherethemeetingsusuallytookplace,in the government building.Manasa realized as the doors were opened; that theentireplace,thoughlitbyfiretorches,hadnotasoul.Surprised,shewalkedfurtherahead,wheretheslabofrockusedasatablewasplaced.

Itwasempty.Completelyisolated!Whatwasgoingonhere?Andthatwaswhensheturnedover tofindher twoguardswithswordswere

plungedintotheirheartsandtheirthroatsrippedout.ItwassosuddenthatManasadidn’t have the time reconcile herself with the sight of horror, slipping over herrobesandstaggeringoverthefloor,assherealisedthatthekillersofhermenwerenoneotherthanthetwohumans,whohadbeenforgivenatthetrialandaskedtoserveinKingVedanta’sarmy.

Thiswasanotherploy.AndthenoneoftheManavsshotadaggeracrosstheroom,towardsManasa.

Realizingshehadnowheretogoandnowheresafetohide,sheletputherhandinfrontofher,tryingtoblocktheeventualannihilation.

Butnothinghappened.Thesoldierswerepuzzled.AsManasaopenedhereye,watching them, she realized the dagger had stuck into her limp hand, the onewithoutanynervesinit.

Instantly,Manasapulledoutthedaggerfromherhandandthrewitback,thistimeslidingitintotheManav’sheadwithease.Theotheronecamechargingather,yelling as loud as he could, but Manasa rolled over, confusing the soldier. Shepulledouthersnake-hiltdaggerandslicedthesoldier’sknee.HefellonhiskneesandthenManasastabbedthesoldierinhisback,twistinghard.

Manasastoodup,lettingherheartbeatcalmdownasshecasuallymadeherwayoutsidethegates.Shestoodintheornatecorridor,watchingtheotherendofthecorridor;whereKoko,Vikokoanda fewotherManavsoldiers stood, trying theirbesttoensureshedidnotescapethisencounteralive.

Kaliwastryinghisbesttokillher.Perhapsitwasaboutthetrial,andhowManasahaddefiedhimateverystance.

HewantedhertoactlikeKuveraandVedanta.Servileandsubmissive.But she wouldn’t budge. Slowly, in the shadows, she glided away from the

corridor,movingtotheexit.WhileKokoandVikokowouldhaverealizedbynowthat she had defeated her assassins, they wouldn’t realise she knew the alternate

ways out of this building as well. But as she came to the path that led to thedifferentexitforthebuilding,shesawitwaslocked.

Just then, she heard the rapid footsteps of the soldiers on the floor above,probably spreadingout to look for her. She knew shehad todo something. Shereachedforthewindow,concealedbythick,purplecurtains.Shetouchedtheedgesand looked down. It was a beautiful sight of Indragarh, heavily guarded andpatrolledbyherownmen.Shelookeddownandcouldseetheundulatingwavesonawaterbody’ssurface.

“She’shere!”asoldiercalledout.Ohbytheheavensandhells!Manasa shovedherselfdown thewindow.She splasheddown into thewater,

likeaheavysackofgrains.Foramomentherbodyfelthelpless,herviewblockedbyweedsandfishes,hereyesburninginthefilthywateruntilshepulledherheadoutofthewater,gaspingforbreath.

Shebegantoswim;realizingKokoandVikokohadn’tstoppedthere.Theyshotarrowswrappedwithoiledcloththattheylitandshotintothewater.Oneofthemfell close to Manasa, but she avoided it and swam awasy as quite as possible,reachingfortheshore.Sherestedagainsttheshore,herhairweigheddownbythegreasyanddirtywater.

Sheknewshecouldn’tstayhere.Thebestoptionwastorunandrunwhereshewould be safe.Manasa knew that threateningKali, and defying him,would havelogicallyledtothis.Butsheneverknewhewouldhavethegutstodoitintheopen.Hewasachangedmanandfortheworse.

Backathercity,Naagpuri,shedidn’tevenknowhowthingswere;shehadbeenawayforawhilenow.ShehadlefthertrustedcousinKadrubacktheretolookoverthings.Ihopeeverythingisstillallright.Thereweremanyouttherethathatedher,butmanylovedhertoo.

Sheknewwhatshehadtodonow,asshepantedforbreath,afrowncontortingher face.Shewould returnagain to Indragarh.And this time, shewouldn’t comebackalone.

Padma had thought of leaving for Vedanta’s fort, but she left for Ratri’s houseinstead,hoping to catchher so-called accomplices. She stillwanted time to thinkovertheactionsshewouldbeexecuting.ThesadpartwasthatsheknewUrvashi,at least by face. She had seen her roam in the bazaar, flanked by her coterie offriendsandguards.Andthislittleknowledgemadetheactionoftryingtohurther,alittlemorepersonal.

Whenshehadentered,shesawRatriwithKumardiscussingsomething,whileBalawalkeduptoher,pattingherandperhapsaskingforherforgiveness.

Padmaretreatedtothefarendofthecorridor,whereshemetKripa,whowassavouringamugofsura,grinningatPadma.

“Youlookquiteglad,”Padmacouldn’thelpbutsmile.Themanwasridiculousbuthadthetendencyofmakingherchuckle.

“Just enjoying the little things in life, lass,” Kripa said. “And drinks aresomethingyougetsolittleof,butyouenjoythemsomuch.”HelookedsneakilyatPadma. “Aren’t you packing? We leave in a while, at midnight or after that,perhaps.”

Leaving?Shehadnever thoughtof it.Shehadworkhere.Shehad to remainherefornow.Butthenaftertakingherrevenge,shehadnoideawhatshe’ddo.

“I’llbestayinghereinthecity.”Kripa narrowed his eyes. “You mad, lass? You are the best thing that has

happenedtous,mindyou.Imean,youweretheonewhofoundusthatchariotanddugtwoholesinittoputthestonesinittoignite.Youknewallofit.”

Padmagrinnedbashfully.“Youallneedtosurvivewithoutme.Iknowit’llbehard,butIthinkit isnecessary.Andalso,speakingofpacking,youdon’tseemtoworryaboutthatyourself.”

“Idon’tbelieveinmaterialism,girl,”hegrinned,sippinghisdrink.Padmalaughed,leavinghimthere,asshemadewaytoherroomtopackupfor

heronelastduty,onlytobeinterruptedbyanotherfamiliarface—Arjan.Tallandmuscular, though not as much as Kalki. His scar had almost healed, now justlookinglikeanangryredweltacrosshisface.Buteverytimehesmiled,onecouldgaugehisinnocencefromthelost,bygonedays.

“Wheredoyouplantogo?”heaskedquietly.“Doesitmatter?Ihelpedyou.Youshouldworryaboutthat.”Arjanhadasmiledancingoverhis lips.HewasgladtobeabletosaveKalki,

the so-called saviour. But she didn’t care to know much about that. She didn’tbelieveinthehorseshit.

“IheardyoutalkingtoKripa.Youdon’twanttoleavewithus.”“Ratri isn’taswell.Whyareyousoworriedaboutme?Whyaren’tyouasking

hertoleaveaswell?”“Because,” he paused. “If Ratri leaves, it’ll be a problem and eyes will turn

towardsher.Andalso,youareavaluablemember.Comewithus.”“AndwhatdoIgetinreturn?”Arjanhadnoanswer.Hepursedhislipsandloweredhiseyes.“Noteverything

inlifecanbebarteredinvalueterms,Padma.”Padmaalmostfeltridiculousforaskingsomethinginreturn,asshepackedher

sack with the zinc explosives Kripa had managed to make from the remainingSoma.He had asked her to use them onlywhen absolutely necessary. She knewwhatshehadtodowiththem.

“Idon’tknowwhatyouwilldowiththeexplosivesandIhavenorighttoaskyou,butIjustwantyoutoknowwecanwaittillyoudoyourjoborwhateveritis.Wecanwaittillthen.”

“Kalimightfindyoutillthen.”“Hedoesn’tcaretwohootsaboutRatri.She’sjustalibrariantohim,attheend

oftheday.”Padmapaused.“MynameisPadmavati.”Shedidn’tknowwhyshetoldhimher

fullname.Itwassomethingshehadn’tevensharedwithRatri.Perhaps itwashissoft,delicateeyes,andthewayhespokewithrespectand intellect.Shehadsomeaffinitytowardshim,unlikeotherswhomshecouldn’tstandbeingwith.

Arjanarchedhisbrows.“That’saDakshininame.”Shenodded.“I’mfromtheSouth,yes.”“Doyouknowmuchaboutyourheritage?”The thought crossed her mind, of telling him, but she remained quiet. “We

migrated,meandmybrothers,during thePactbetweenNorthandSouthagainsttheTribals.”Thosewerethedarktimesaswell,whenherbrothershadbeenforcedtostemVedanta’smadness.

“Iaskyoutocomebecauseheneedssomeonelikeyoutokeephimincheck.Youareasmartmouthsometimes,butgenerallyacleverwoman.”

Padmasighed.“Wheredoyouallintendtogo?”“North,towardsDandhaka,andfromtheretoMahendragiri.”“That’sthesnowyregion.”“Yes.”Shehatedthesnow.Grimacing,shenodded.“I’llseetoit.Whybut?”“Weweren’tjokingaboutKalkibeingthesaviour.Hereallyis.Yousawhim.”Padma had, seeing how Kalki was able to adroitly manage the iron chains

aroundhim, aside from thenerve-wracking fight againstMartanja.But still, theremustbesomelogicalexplanation,andshesoughtit.

“I’llseetoit,Arjan.”Arjanpattedherbackandmadehiswayoutside,beforeturningbacktolookat

heronelasttime.“Whatyouhave,theexplosives,Iknowyoumusthaveamission.ButfromwhatlittleI’veseen,it’sahorriblething.AndbytheGods,itshouldn’tbeusedoften.Iknowthatyou’llbeusingitforsomepurposethatyoufindright.MyfatherwasmurderedbyaMlecchaandIhatedthemuntilImetDattatreya.Ineverthought Iwouldhavepitied aman likehim,but Idid. I evenpitied thewoman,Durukti,whohadinvadedourland.”

Hesmiled tohimself.“It’seasy tohate,butdifficult toforgive. Ifmorefolksdid the latter, I’msurewewould live inamorepeacefulworld.”Andhe left theroom after that. With a heavy heart, Padma took the bag and slung it on hershoulders.Shedidn’tknowwhattofeelrightnow.Shecontemplatedsettlingdown.Shehadtothinkandreact.Thinkandreact.Thinkand…

Arjandranka littlebitofwineforthefirsttime,calminghissenses,watchingtheshadows fromthe fire torchesover theceiling.Arjanblinked twice, realizing thatthepedestalhesaton, intheroom,shooka little.HeturnedcomfortablyonlytofindKalkihadwokenupfromhisslumber,slowlygettingup.Settinghiswineonthe side, Arjan came to help him asKalki held onto his ribs.He had grown somature,sofast.Kalkihadathickbeard,growinglikewildweedoverhisface,eyesthatweretiredandhairthathadgrownscraggly.Hehadscarsallacrosshisbody;lashesandredweltsfromtheflogging.

It felt like yesterday that theywere sitting at the farm, looking at thedippingsun,jokingandelbowingeachother,tellingstories.Theywerebrothers,separatedbybloodbut joinedby love.Shambalawasa farfetcheddreamandhewishedhecouldreturn,butArjanknewitwasover,fornowat least.Hismotherwasatthetemple,andArjanhadwrittenanotetoher,tellinghertheywerefine.Buthedidn’tletherknowwheretheywere,otherwiseshewouldbeworried.Arjanwasthelastpersontolietohisparents,buthehadto.Circumstanceswereforcinghishandinthismatter.

It’salwayswhatyouneverexpect.It’salwaystheinnocentwhohastotakethefall infrontofevil; the innocentwhoisspurredontotryandwageawaragainst

theevil.Amanborn in riches canbecorruptedeasily.Humility iswhatmakes ahero.

“I’mallright,”saidKalki.“Youdon’tlookquiteright.”“IsthatwineIsmell?”heaskedgruffly.Arjanflustered,movingback.“I…uh…”“CanIhavesomeaswell?”Arjan laughedandpouredsomeforhim.Kalki took it inhishand, shivering,

gulpeditonegoandreturnedthegoblettoArjan.“Lakshmialwaystendedto…uh…me,”Kalkisaid,notlookingup,butdownat

hispalmsthathadroughenedthroughtime.“Ican’tforgetacceptthatshe’sdead.”Hepaused.“Butthen,Mahadsaid, justbecausetheyaredeaddoesn’tmeantheyarenotaround.”Hesmiledatthethought.

Arjanpattedhisolderbrother’shead,ashesatontheoppositeside,staringatthefinemanhehadbecome.“Ihavetoadmityouhavegrown.Inmorewaysthanone.”

“Sayswho?”Kalkismirked.“Yououtofallpeopleshouldn’tsaythis.Carryingaflyingchariotoveratrial.”

“ThatwasKripacharya’sidea.”“He’sa…mysteriousman.”KalkiturnedhisheadandwatchedKripa,whowas

snoringatthedoorstep,closetothecorridor.Arjan bit his lips before he continued, “I should say this, but I fear. I am

perhapsgettingabittooparanoid.”“Firstinstinctsneverlie,”Kalkisaid.“Allright,”Arjannodded.“ImetaMleccha.”TherewasashiftinKalki’seyes,

sohecontinued.“Hetoldmethatanoldmanwas trying togoadthemtoattackShambala.”

“Oldman?YouthinkKripahiredabunchofmentokillmyfather?”“Perhaps.Or just kidnap. Killing happened out of necessity perhaps.” Arjan

couldn’tbelievehewasaccusingamanwhohadhelpedinsavinghisbrother.Kalki remained impassive. “It’s uncertain. There is no proof. Can the man

identifyKripa?”“He’sdead,tryingtosaveus.”Kalki laughed at the irony. Arjan did too. It was a pathetic scoffing sound,

ringing in the room. Theworldwas full of irony and insecurities. “We can onlytrusteachother,perhaps.”

“Yes.AndBalaandthenewgirl.”

“Newgirl?”Kalkiwasthinking,hiseyebrowsraised.“Yes,yes.”Arjansighed.“HernameisPadma.Shehasatoughexterior,butaheartofgold

somewhereinside.Iknowit.”“I’msure.Itrustyourjudgment.I’lllookoutforKripa.Wecan’ttrusttheold

man.”“Youareright.Buthe’scorrectaboutonething.Youneedtoleaveforthehills,

tolearnthewaysoftheAvatar,”Arjansaid.“Youcan’tsithere.YouneedtodefeatKali.Heisgrowingcrazyandhiscrazinesshasnolimits.”

ArjancouldseeKalkiwascontemplating.AyoungboyfromShambaladidn’twanttofighttheevilincarnate.Hewantedthesimplerpleasuresinlifeinstead.

“HowisShambala?”“Shattered,”Arjanshookhishead.“Weleftinordertosaveyou.”“Willweeverreturn?”“Ihopewedo.Wheneverythingisallright,wewill.”Kalki was avoiding the question, and it was evident. Arjan leaned forward.

“Listen,” he added. “I know it will sound harsh, but I need you to promisemesomething.”

“What?”“Ineedyou topromiseme thatyouunderstandweareonadangerouspath,

andthatyouwillundertakewell-thoughtoutplansandtryandremainsafe.Weareleavingourzoneofcomfort.Weareoutthere.Andweneedtobeprepared,mostofall.”

“For?”Arjan blinked. “If anything happens to me, anything at all, I want you to

promise me that you will move on. To learn. To go and become what you aredestinedtobecome.Embraceit.Don’tholdyourselfbacklikeyoudidinShambala.Youwillcontinuetolose.It’sallrighttoloseonepersonandprotecttheworldinreturn.”

“Whatifthatpersonmeanstheworldtoyou?”Arjanhadnoanswerforthat.Kalkiwasright inhisownway.“Iwantyouto

promise me, nevertheless. Don’t stop, otherwise you’ll regret it forever. ReturnwhenyouarereadyandfighttheAdharm.”

“Ican’tbelieveit,hearingyoutalkaboutsupernaturalthings.”“I’veseenenoughtobelieve.”Kalkichuckled.“Allright,Ipromise.ButIwon’tletanythinghappentoyou.”Arjan went over and hugged his brother. They stayed locked in an embrace

until Arjan walked over to the windowwith the refilled goblet. “I saw that you

kissedthewomanwhodestroyedourplace.Whatwasthatabout?”“It was a peck, brother.” Kalki was flustered. “And she’s a misunderstood

womantrappedbyamegalomaniacman.Iwantedtosaveher,butIcouldn’t.”“Becauseshehurtyou?”Kalki shot him a look of confusion. He was himself conflicted, and it was

evident.“OrperhapsIknewshewastheonlyonewhocanhumanizeKali.”“Intheprocessofdoinggood,brother,Ihopeyoudidn’truinherlife.”Arjan

didn’tfeelanysympathyforKali’ssister,butKalkihadknownher,andArjanknewbetterthantojudgesomeonebeforehearinghersideofthestory.

While Kalki had gone in deep thoughts, Arjan’s eyes flew towards the city,wherehecouldmakeoutthedarkshadowofalurkingfigure,coveredinashawl.Arjanknewwhoitwas—Padma.

Shehadleft,eventhoughhehadsubtlywarnedhernottodo.“Iwillbeback.”ArjanthrustthewineglasstoatKalki.“Enjoythis,andstickto

yourpromises.”Kalkismiled.Arjandidtoo,beforeleavinghimintheroom.

Arjanhad a sickledangling fromagirdle athiships.Andhewasproceedingdownthedarkstreets.Inthewanlight,withthehootingowls,andthebatsintheair,creptArjan,unnervedby thesceneryaroundhim.HesawPadma,awayfromhim,but stillwalking at abriskpace.Whenwould that girl learn that therewerethingsbiggerthanher?Butthen,hedidn’tknowherstory.Anditwaswrongagaintojudgeher.

Perhapsitwasanecessity,forallArjancouldguess.Hesoonrealizedthatshehadbeguntododgethenightpatrollers,whosurprisinglyweren’ttheusualNagas.MostofthepatrollingpolicewereeitherManavsorYakshas.

Arjanletoutadeepbreath,asheturnedintoanotheralley,awayfromthemainroad,realizingthatshewasleadingtowardstheroyalfort.

ItwasVedanta’sfort.Hesawher,withacrobaticfinesse,climbingoverthewallandgoingontheotherside.

Arjan, quickly paced up to the wall, and tried to vault across the brick wall,thoughhisankledidn’tallowhimto.Heusedhissickle,clawingitdeepinthewall,and thenwith that, he forced himself up, catching the edge and finally reachingoverthetopandfallingontotheotherside.Pushingasidetheshrubberynearthetop,hesawthelargebell-towerinsidethefort,witharmedsoldierswalkingabout.

Catchinghis breathonce again,Arjan followedher.Hehadno ideawhyhewasdoingwhathewasdoing,buthewantedtosaveherandalsoseewhatshewasupto.

If she got caught, she’d have a better chance of escapingwith him. Shewasusefulandfromwhathehadlearnt,onemustn’tletusefulpeopleleaveinahurry.IfKalkifoundout,hewouldn’tagree.Tobefair,Arjanhadalotofreasonstobehere andmanydidn’tmake sense tohim.Kripa always gavehim the creeps, butPadma didn’t. She was brutal and honest. Something Arjan hadn’t seen in thisworldmuch.

And then she saw her climbing one of the main towers, reaching over andhidingfromthelights.Arjanstayeddownasshehadlurchedinsidethewindow.Hewantedtoleave,butthenconcealedintheshrubs,hesawaguardapproachingthepathinfrontofhim.Heremainedstill.

AndhopedtoGodsthathewouldn’tbecaught.

Bala wasn’t impressive. In fact, he was not impressive in any way. And yet, shefoundhimtobeakind-heartedman.Ratriknewhewasalmostadecadeyoungerthanherandshehadnoamorousfeelingstowardshim.Infact,theywerefriendlyjustlikeshewaswithKumar.Butmanyinthehousethoughtofthemasacouple,whichwasabsurd.Thenagain,itwasBala’sfaultaswell,sinceheblushedaroundher.Maybehelikedher,andshefounditcute,butitwouldneverbereciprocated.She had better andmore important things to do, especially with the things nowhappeninginthecity.

Shehadbeen furiouswhen foundout that theywereplanning thingsbehindherback.Shehadgrandplansoftakingdowntheneworder,butnoneofitmadesensetothem.Theyjustwantedtofreetheircomrade.Itwasafutileattemptthatendedupbeingnotsofutilesincetheescapee,afugitive,wasinsideherhouse.Andifanyonehadseenhimenteringthehouse,shewouldbedead.

Butshedecidedtohelpthem.Why?It was because they reminded her a lot of Lakshmi. She had been a kind,

adventurous soulwhodidn’t listen to anyonebutherself.And that’s exactlyhowtheywere.Theyweren’tbadpeople.Theyhaddifferentwaysofdoingthings.And

she shouldn’t judge them for that. Except for the old Acharya—he was slimy,unintelligible, dirty, clumsy and horrible in every sense. She hated the kind, theAcharyas,forhavinglittleknowledgeandthenusingthatknowledgetoenticepoorvillagers into sending their children to them and earning a few coins. Educationshouldn’tbeimpartedaroundatree.

Ratri, while writing a few letters to the officials for the inauguration of thelibrary,hadsentoutplentyofinvites,eventothelikesoftheTribals.Shehadtoactnice, portraying herself as a liberal. In the pool of light cast by the candle, shescribblednamesandsignedonpapers,whensheheard the footsteps.She lookedupanditwasn’tKumar.ItwasBala.Histall,thickframewascoveringmostofthespace in the room. It was a surprise to Ratri how big a Manav could be, inequivalencetoaRakshas.Shecontinuedtowork,ignoringhim,ashestoodthere,handsinthefront,hismacemakingasoundasitsedgesrattledoverthefloor.

“Uh,thankyouforeverything.”Ratrinodded.“It’sall right.AnythingforLakshmi’sfriends.”Shewouldhave

thrownthemoutifitwasotherwise.“Ihopewemeetagain.”Ratrihadbeen toldbyKumar that theguestswouldbe leavingfor theirnext

destination,whereverthatwas.Ratrididn’tcaretoask.Itwasnotherbusiness.“Metoo.Ihopethat.”Shepulledupasmile.“I’mgladyouwerehonestwith

me.”Butwhywashe?Hecouldhaveliedliketherest.“Yes. Iapologize,”hisvoicewashoarsebuthadagentleedge to it.“For the

others.Theywereafraidoftellingyou.”Ratristoppedherquillatthat.“Andyouweren’t?”“Manydon’tknow,uh,butIrecognizeapersoninthefirstinstance.Andyou

seemedlikeapersonwhowouldhelpus,goingtogreat lengths,andnotmindingit.”

Herfacehadnoexpression,butshelikedthefactthathehadtrulyunderstoodher.

“Iwon’t,yes.ButIhavelimitsaswell.”“Ofcourseandbeforewecrossthem,weplantoleave.”“I’mglad,”shesaid,asshesignedmoreletters.“Andaboutthe…uh…”“Youdon’tneedtospeakaboutit.”Ratri’scheekswereturningred.Damn!“Yousure?”hisvoicesqueaked.Hewasnervous.“I’msure.Believeme.”Ratrishookherhead,recallingallthedaysthathadleduptothis.Thetimeshe

spentwithBala, it came like a fever rush. She hadbeen a careless fool. She hadbeendrinkingalotlately.PerhapsitwasthewayshemournedforLakshmi,fornothavinga family, for livingwithaYaksha.Shehadno lover. Itwasherchoice,ofcourse,buttheredayswhenthestarswouldspeakbacktoherandshewouldknowshewasgoingdelusional.Ononeofthosenights,Balahadcaughtontoher.Shewas standing on the roof, at the edge. And before she could fall and break herlimbs,hehadgrabbedherandpulledhertowardshim.Shehadmistakenlykissedhis chest even, leaving the mark of her red lips on his skin. She had foolishlyhiccuppedandgiggled.Balahadgrabbedherandtakenherbacktoherroomandtendedtoher.Burlyamanthoughhewas,hedidn’tallowRatritokisshim.

“Youaredrunk.Youarenotthinkingstraight,”hehadarguedreasonably.Andinthemorning,hehadpresentedabowlofsouptoher,claimingitwasa

triedandtestedcureforhangovers.“WhatdidIdo?”Shewasmassagingherhead,actingasifshedidn’tremember,

butshedid.Itwasawfulandembarrassing.Awomanofherageshouldn’tdoanyofit.

“Youwereshakenup.Youarefinenow,”hegentlysmiled.Andfromthenon,whenever there was any spare time, Bala would come and talk with her. And itwouldn’tjustbeabouttrivialities.Hewouldtalkabouthisdeepestinsecurities.AndRatriwoulddosoaswell.Ratrihadnoproblemsharingthemwithhim.Itwasasifthatnight,theyhadbondedoverherdrunkenstupor.

“Howdidyoureachthepositionyouarein,LadyRatri?”Hehadasked.Shehadbadmemoriesaboutit.“Iwasn’talwayssotaciturnandserious.Ihada

sisterbackinShambala,Lakshmi’smother,butinordertolearn,IhaddressedupasaboyandlefttostudyinaGurukul.Backthen,girlsweren’tallowededucation.Infact,evennowalso,girlsaren’tgiventhesametreatment.Ididn’tcare.Icutmyhair,strappedmybreastsandleftforit.AndthatwaswhereIlearntthemost.”

“I’m surprised no one wondered how there could be such a beautiful boyamongstthem,”Balahadjoked.

“Itbecameworsethough,”shesighed,lookingdown.“TheGurukul,ithadbaddays, especially towards the end. When during a bath, the Acharya caught me,sayingIdidn’thavethebodyofaboybutofagirl,heforcedmetoleave.Ibeggedhim.HetoldmeIcouldstay.ButIhadto…uh…”sheshookherhead.“Ihadtopleasure him.” She was tearing up now, even as Bala tried to dispel her badmemoriesbyhuggingher tightly.“Iwasconfusedandbroken.Heforcedhimselfonme,andIstayedthere.Thenightswerepainful.AndIwantedtogohome.ButIknewifIwentgoback,Iwouldn’tbeabletocompletewhatIhadstarted.Iwanted

gotothecity,andlearnfromascholar.”Balahadhiseyebrowsarchednow,worriedandalittleangry.“I’msorry.What

didyoudothen?”“So I went inside his hut on one night, and I cut off his privates when he

lecherouslybeckonedmetowardshim,”shepulledupasmileatthegorymemory.“Thatisimpressive,”helaughed,slappinghisknee.“Thatwas.ButnowthatIthinkaboutit,itwaskindofbloody.”“I’velearnt,LadyRatri…”“CallmejustRatri.”With tender eyes,Bala continued. “I’ve learnt thatwe live in aviolentworld,

surroundedbyviolentmenandwomen,doingviolentthings.It’sdark,bloodyandIamusedtoit.”

“That’swhyyouarewiththem?”shesignalledathisgang,whoweretalkingtoeachotherintheotherroom.

“No,”he shookhishead. “Theworldmightbebloody,but there’s stillhopeandtheygivemethat.Theypromisemeabettertomorrow.Anditfeelsgood,tohavehopeinahopelessworld.”

Andthenhehadleanedforward,“Iwantedtoaskyoutonotgetfurious,butknowthingsandtryandunderstandthem.Wedidn’tmeantohide,butnowit isimportantthatweshouldtellyou…”

Fromthenon,hehadrevealedtheplan,becausehetrustedher.Anditwasnicetobetrusted,evenbyatavernguardsman.ShehadsentKumartospyonthem,toknowtheirmovessotheywouldn’tmakeastupidmistake.Shewantednodamagetocometoher,butatthesametime,shedidn’twantBalatogetintroubleeither.

Itwasnicetalkingtosomeone,buthewouldn’tbearoundanymoreforthat.“MightIgetanembrace?”“Aren’tyouaskingfortoomuch?”“Wasn’tityouwhokissedmefirst?”“Thatwasmedrunk,”sheblushed.Helaughed.“Yourememberthen.Youaresuchabadactress.”Ratrishookherheadasshecameforwardandembracedhim,hernailsdigging

intohis skin, the scentof soap fromhishairpermeatinghernostrils. She felt sosmall around hiswrapped arms. “Itwas nice having a friend like you,” she said,pullingback.

Hehadgonered,likealways.“Itisthesameforme.IhopeIreturnandwetalkmorethanweusuallydid.”

“I’llshowyouthetheatrehere.”

“Isitboring?WillIunderstand?”Ratriheldontohishands.“Withme,you’llunderstandeverything.”And then there was a knock on the door. Ratri let go his hand as she saw

Kumarcomingoutofhishole,reachingforthedoor.RatriwhistledatKumartonotopen it rightaway.RatrinoddedatBalasilently,andheswiftlywalkedtotheback, waking up Kalki from his room, Kripa from the corridor, as they wentdownstairs.

Ratriwalkedtothedoor,openingit,onlytofindafamiliarfigure,staringather.Baldhead,sunkeneyesanddarkskin,ablackdhotiwrappedaroundhiswaist,andablackrobewrappedacrosshischiselled,lankyframe.ItwasnoneotherthantheCommanderofthecity.

“Hello there,”Kali rasped, showing the letter in his hand,while he stood infrontofhistwinguards.

“Igotyourinvite.MightIcomeintotalkforawhile?”

Astras,explosivesmadeoutofSomaores,werewrappedinacloth.Kripahadsaidthatsheneededtoburntheleavesstickingoutofit,letitreachtheoreandthenit’dburst.Itwouldgiveherenoughtimetothrowitacrossathertargetandrunawaywhileitcausedahugeexplosion.

Butignitingittokillalittlegirlwastheburdenshewouldcarryherself.Butshecouldn’t find the chambers of Vedanta where she could detonate the bomb;perhaps he wasn’t even here at the fort. Though she found Urvashi’s room,clutchingthebalconyparapetoutsideherroom.Shecouldhearherfaintvoice.

“Youcanleave,”shesaidtosomeone.“Butprincess,kingshiphastoldmenotto.”“Idon’tcare.”Thevoicewaschildish.“Youstayoutthere.Idon’tlikeanyone

watchingmesleep.”“Kingshipwillcutmyheadoff,”thesoldierpleaded.“Iwilldothesameifyoudon’tleave.”Therewasascuffle.“CanIatleastclosethewindows?”“Ilikethebreeze.Doyouwantmetodieinthisheat?”“No,no,ofcoursenot,princess,”hewhimpered.“Good,leavethen.”

The door was shut off. Padma waited, still clinging to the edge, her fingerswantingsomerest,butgettingnone.Shecouldfeelthestingasshewaited.IthadbeenclosetoanhourwhenshecouldfinallyhearthefaintsnoringfromUrvashi’sroom.Shecameupandjumpedinside,makingsureherfeetmadenosound.Shesawthat inthemidstofthecandlesthatburntinherroom,bookswerepiledup,with a cot high above a pedestal. Padma walked towards Urvashi, counting herbreaths,notmakinganynoise.Urvashi.Shewasbeautiful,withcurlyhair,lookingangelicwhile she slept. Shewas unharmedby thisworld, unlikePadma. Shehadbeengiftedherchildhood,unlikePadma.

Jealousypoisonedherthoughtslikeawasp’ssting,asherhandsreachedfortheastras.Shouldshe lightthemupandleavethemlikethat?Thatwaswhatshehadcomefor.Destroying theone thingVedantavaluedmost, leavinghimdead fromthe inside.Thatwouldbe aworse punishment thandeath itself.Hewouldweepand hurt himself, finally resorting to suicide. These thoughts amused Padma,especially since shehad lostheronly familybecauseofhim,burnt andhung liketraitors.Angerhadmadeherpromiseherselfthatshewouldbringhimtoruin,justlikeherbrothershadgonedown.

Thingshadchangedsincethen.Shehadmetandshehadlostpeople.Shestillrememberedthedayshewasbeingtaughthuntingbyheryoungestbrother,Surya,theonewhowassettojointhearmy.Theywereintheforest,inoneofthewoodsthatsurroundedIndragarh,andtheywerehuntingajackal.Padma,withouttheuseof an arrow, tried spearheading the animal, but it hadn’t worked. It dodged andchased forhis life,evenasPadmashotmultiplearrowsat it, finally resulting inawin.

The jackal had lain there, while Padma and Surya walked to it. It was stillbreathing,forthearrowhadstruckhispaws.

“Well,thisissomething,”thehoneyedvoiceofSuryaechoed.“Youdidn’tkillhim.”

Padmapulledoutthedaggerandknelt,readytostrike,whenSuryagrabbedherwrist.

“Nah,leaveit,”hesaid.“You crazy?” chuckledPadma. “We couldhave a nice fur pelt for ourselves,

withwinterapproaching.”“Iknow.Butyousee,clothesandfoodarenotas importantasteachingyour

littlesistersomething.”Suryasaid.“Youranger let thisanimalfallontheground.Butyoudidn’twin.”

“Ididn’twin?Ihavelaidittotheground.Bah!”sheretorted.

“Iknow.Butjustbecauseit’sdown,youhaven’twon.Theworldhastaughtusthattomoveforward,onemustdefeattheothers.ButIdon’tseeitthatway.”Hepulledoutthearrow,the jackalstillbreathinghard,panting,asSuryapulledoutaclothandpouredsomeantisepticcreamonit,applyingittothewound.“Kindnessandloveiswhatthisworldneedsthemost.”

ThejackalslowlystoodupandinsteadofattackingSuryaorPadma,whohadinstantlypulledback,thejackallickedSurya,likeadogonaleash.Suryagavehimsomefood,whichthejackalatefromhishand.“Becausekindness,mydear,alwaysreciprocates.”

Padma,nowstandinginthecentreoftheroom,setdowntheastras.Shewentforthecandlesandkneltdowntolightthethemup,evenasthoughtssomersaultedandcollidedinsideher.Herhandswereshivering.Andasshewasabouttoreachoutfortheastras,theflamesalmosttouchingthem,thegirlturnedoverinhissleep.She backed off, silently, of course,worried,with sweat beads trickling down herface.ShecameforwardtoseeUrvashihadshiftedherposition,andrightunderthecushion of her arm,was awooden figure. It was carved perfectly, had a conicalnoseanddefinedhead.Itwasclear toPadmafromacursorysurveyof theroomthat Urvashi was fascinated by wooden figurines, just as Padma loved collectingantiquecoins.

It’seasytohatebutdifficulttoforgive.SheturnedaroundandhereyesmetArjan’s.Shealmostshriekedatthesightof

him,butheinstantlyputhispalmsoverherlips.Whatwashedoinghere?“Who’sthere?”Urvashi’svoiceechoedintheroom,ashereyesslowlyopened

andsawPadmaandArjanintheroom.“Whoareyou?”Shebackedoffagainstthecorner of the bed, her night gown crumpling in the process. Using her toy as aweapon,sheputupabravefrontandasked,“Whatdoyouwant?”

Padmahadnorealideawhattotellher.Arjanwasconfusedhimself.“Youareassassins,aren’tyou?Fathertoldmeallaboutyourkind.Butwhoare

you?”PadmagrimacedatArjan,whomouthedather,“Weneedtoleave.”“GUARDS!”Urvashiyelled.Padma’s heartbeat increased, as she grabbed the astras from the ground,

reaching forward and jumping from the window with Arjan, uncaring that theywerejumpingtotheirdeaths.Sherealizedthismid-air,whileArjanusedhissickleto claw at the fortwalls, until their feet hit the ground and they started dashingaway.

“Whydidyoufollowme?”“Tomakesureyoudidn’tdoanythingfoolish.”Arjanwasrunningbesideher.“But you shouldn’t…have…uh…done anything foolish in trying to stopme

fromdoinganythingfoolish.”Shewasconfusedandshewaspanting,theexertionfromhergetawaymuddlingupherwords.

Theyweremaking theirway towards thewall that led to thebacksideof thefort.Butnow, thebellswerebeing rung,andsoldierswere following them.Theycouldhear thehorses following themfromacross thestables.Padmareachedforthe wall, her limbs acrobatically leaping up, till she reached the edge, one leghangingovertheotherside,whilesheleaneddowntograbArjan.Hetriedtojump,buthecouldn’t.Heusedthesickletomakealeapandashegrabbedherhand,hisfacecontortedintoapainfulexpression.

Hefellback,unable tostandup.HeturnedaroundandPadmasawanarrowhad pierced him. Multiple fire arrows were being shot at Padma, but she wasdodgingmostofthem.

“Comeon!”Arjanwasstillmakinghiswayup,his feetstruggling,asanotherarrowstruck

oneofhisfeet.“I-Ican’t.”Helookedup,hisfacepaleasthemoon,tearsaroundhiseyes.“Leavenow.”

“Ican’t.Notwithoutyou.”“Ifyoustay…”thebarksofthehoundswerereallyclosenow.“Theywillkill

youandme.OneofusneedstobetherewithKalki.”“Idon’tcareaboutKalki!Icareaboutyou.”Arjansmiled.“Ifyoudo, ifyoureallydocareaboutme,goandprotecthim.

Please. Stay with him and take him where he’s supposed to go. Please, promiseme.”Heheldouthishand.

Padmanodded,graspinghishand,whenthesoldiersfinallycameupclose.ThehoundleapedatArjan,butwithaswiftflickofhishand,Arjanclaweditsfaceandflungitaway.

“Leavenow! I’ll try to stop them!”And thenanother arrowhurthimandhewaspushedagainsttherockywall,bloodtricklingfromhismouth,poolingoverhistunic.

PadmalookedatArjanonce,perhapsforthelasttime.Abrokenboywhohadseentheworldforitstruth,justlikePadma,andwhowasabouttomeethisdeath,unlike Padma. He didn’t deserve it. She did. And she manoeuvred and lurcheddownfromthewall,runningasquicklyaspossible,asavolleyoffirearrowswereraineddownonher.

For the first time in a long while, Padma couldn’t help but shed tears foranotherperson.

Ratri led Kali inside her house, but Kali chose to walk around. He scanned hissurroundings,Ratri noticed, like a hawk, smelling and letting his earsmove backandforth,asifhewastryingtogetasenseoftheplace.Ratriledhimtoherstudy,butKalisentKokoandVikokooutintheback,tochecktheotherrooms.

“Iapologize,”hesaid,hisvoicecoldandcalculating.“Ihavegrowntosuchastaturethatmanywanttokillme.It’scustomarytodoaformalcheckingandrecce.Please,leadme.”

Ratridid,sittingontheoppositesideofherstudy,whileKalicameforwardandsat in frontofher.“Youhavea fineYakshaservantatyourdisposal.”HepattedtheYaksha’s head. “Thank you for thewater, but I won’t take it.”Kumarwentback,mumblingtohimself.

Kali studied the room, while Ratri continued to watch him. The silence waskillingherand thanks to theGods, shehadabasement ready,where therewasapassage leadingoutofthehouseandout intheopen.Itwasforemergencies justlikethis,sinceshewasheavilymiredinpropagandaandknewonedayshehadtoescapewhenherhousewascorneredbyswordsmanandarchers.Theymusthaveleft,sinceKokoandVikokoreturned,shakingtheirheads,andKalinoddedbackatthem.Koko andVikokowere popular by now, the twins that had taken the city

under their fist. They were everywhere and most people were scared of theirtowering,brutepersonalities.

“IneverthoughtI’dbemeetingyou.”“Whyisthat?Imean,Vedantahadtoldmesomuchaboutyou.Itwasashame

hetookawayyourseatinthegovernmentandputyouin-chargeasalibrarianwithafancytitletoit.Butwebothknowitwastogetridofyou.”

Ratrismiledforcefully.Whatwasthismangettingat?Atacloserlook,Ratricouldsee how his veins were popping out of his skin. He used to look different, sherecalled,witharatherhandsomeface,longhairandacharming,disarmingsmile.AtleastthatwaswhatshehadseenwhenVedantawasannouncingthenewleadersofthecityandshewasamongstthemanynobles,forcedtoclapandapplaud.

Hehadchanged.Butwhathadmadehimlikethis,onlyheknew.“Vedantahadapoorsenseofjudgmentinyourcase,soI’vedecidedtoreplace

him.”“Withwhom?”Kalismiledasifitwasobvious.“Oh,”smuglyRatrinodded,“you.”“Yes.Ihavedecidedtobethekingnow,sincemattershaveforcedmyhand.I

can’tdoanythingbutagree.Manyinthegovernmentfeelthatway.Wetalliedandsaw.”

“Whywasn’tIinvited?”“IaskedVedanta.Hesaiditdidn’tmatter.”For all she knew aboutVedanta, he couldn’t have said that. Perhaps the so-

calledabsurdtallywasbribed,forcedorevenfictitious.“But I, anupstanding citizennowof this city, decided thiswouldnotbe the

case.SoIcameheretotakeyourvote.Whatdoyoupropose?DoyouthinkIamcapableofbeingaking?”

Hewas acting strangely. It did not seem likely that a person likeKaliwouldbother to travel to the house of amere functionary, in order to get her vote tolegitimizehisrule.

“Yoursilenceassuresmeofapositiveresponse,”henodded.“I’mgladand,ofcourse,thankyouforthisinvite,”hesignalledathisguardswhowentoutside,hisvoice raising high. “You have been gracious enough to do that. I always believebooksareawayoftoheaven.Andwecanallgoonthatpathifmoreofustendtobereaders.Youhavebuiltahealthy,literaryheritage.”Henoddedtohimself,ashisguardscameforwardwithhugeterracottapotsintheirhands.“WhenIseewhatishappeninginthecity,I’moftenremindedofatimebackinthevillageIhadbeen

temporarilystayingat.Ithadasmalltailor’sshopIworkedat,justasaroller.Youknowwhatarolleris?”

Ratrishookherhead.“It’stheleastimportantandmostboringjobyoucancomeupwith,”Kalisaid.

“Youneedtotaketheclothesthetailorgivesyou,rollthemandkeepthempacked.Thatwasit.Anyway,weworkedatabarn.Wegotacustomeroneday,askingustorefundthemoneywetook.Andmindyou,wetooknothingbutmeagercoinsfortheworkwedid.Weaskedwhy.Heshowedushisgarment,whichwastorn.Itwasodd.Whenheleftafterreceivinghiscoins,webegantolookaround,andyouknowwhatwefound?”

Ratriremainedquiet.“Rats.Allinsidethehay,hiding.Wheneverwetriedtocatchthem,wecouldn’t,

becausetheywereabletoescape,thoselittlecreatures.Wetriedtoignorethem,buttheymanagedtotearourclothesandwewerelosingbusiness.Peoplesaidwedidn’tdo our jobswell.Wewere on the brink of unemploymentwhenmymaster, thetailor,gotanidea.Youknowwhathedid?”

“No.Whatdidhedo?”“Heburntdownthebarn.”“Whatabouthisemployment?”“Hecouldbuildthebarnagain,buthecouldn’tkilltherats.Soheburntdown

the barn. It was a lovely sight.”He paused. “I realized that day in order towinsome,youlosesome.”

Ratri pursed her lips, as she looked at the terracotta pots the guards wereholdingonto,finallyrealizingwhatitwasabout,theentirestory.

“Whatisgoingon?”Kalistoodup,announcing,“Asignofmyrespect.”HesignalledtoKokoand

Vikoko, who began to spill water everywhere. “I am blessing you with the holyliquid,”hesmirked.

But the smell was a giveaway. Ratri stood up and pulled out the knife fromunderneaththetable,whereithadbeenglued.

“It’soil.”“Hence,it’sholy.ForfireiswhereIgrewupinandit’sfirewhereyouwilldie.”“Whyareyoudoingthis?”Sheplungedherbladeintheair,butitdidn’treach

Kali for hewas quick enough to grab her by the throat, pushing her against thewall.

KokoandVikokousedthefirelampsinthehouse,lettingthemraceacrossthespilledoil.Asshewasheldcaptiveagainstthewall,shecouldseeherhouseburning

downaroundher,thesmellofcharredwoodandpaperengulfinghernose.“I have ravens in the city that speak to me, whisper in my ears about the

infidels thathavecorruptedmycity.Andguesswhotheywhisperedofrecently?”hewhisperedinherears,hisvoiceraspy.

“You.”Ravens?Ofcourse.Spies.Informants.Butwho?Padma.Wasither?No.WasitKalki?Ohno.DidKalifollowthem

herewhentheywerereturning?Itcouldbepossible.“Weshouldleave,mylord,”Vikokosaid,hearingasuddennoise.AndthatiswhenKumarenteredwithasword,tryingtoattackandsucceeding

indoingso,asheslicedVikoko’sarmouredleg.KokocameforwardnearVikokoandslashedtheheadof theYaksha.Ratriyelled inshock,her lungsburningwiththesmoke,asshecoughedandcried.Vikokogroaned,touchingthebloodystumponherbody,asshekickedtheheadofKumaracrosstheroom.

“Theyarealwayssuchlittleidiots,”Kalisighed,pushingheragainstthewall,asshe felt pain blurring her vision. Ratri flung the dagger that had fallen to theground,piercingdeepintoKali’sneck.

Kali stopped. His hand reached out for the blade. He calmly pulled it out,lookedathisblood,andtouchedthebackofhisneck.Itdidn’tevenaffecthim.

“Nicetry,mylady.Perhapsintheafterlife,youcanlearnnottohitaGodwithamereblade,”hewinked,leavingherinthefire.Shestaggeredonthefloor.

Shetriedtosaveherselffromthefirethathadbeguntoengulftheentireroom.Ratricouldfeeltheburninherlungs,because;theroomwasslowlyrunningoutofcleanairtobreathe.Herlastcoherentthoughtbeforeshepassedout,wasnoticingapairoffeetnearherhead.Butwasn’tKumaralreadydead?

No.ThefeetbelongedtononeotherthanBala,whohadcometorescueher.“Whathappened?”hecriedtoher,butwordswouldn’tmaketheirwayoutofhermouth.

“You returned,” Ratri smiled weakly, as Bala broke through the burningwreckagearoundthem,tryingtogetthembothtoasafeplace.

“Ihadto.Icouldn’tleavethemostamazingpersonImettodie,”hestopped.“Ugh, the basement door is closed.” When the ceiling suddenly caved in, sherealized,dimly,thatshecouldseestarsinthesky.Sheswivelledherhead,focusinghervision,whensherealizedherentirehousewasonfire.Itwasover.Everythingsheownedorshewouldeverown,herpartner,Kumar…

Andthenshefeltasuddenchangeinherposition,asBala’sarmsweakenedand

shefelltotheground.Shelookedup.ThereweretwoarrowsinBala’schest.RatriturnedandsawKaliwithVikokoandKoko,whowereusingbowsandarrows.Balatookouthismace,breakingthearrows,evenasbloodspilledfromhischest.

“Youmustrun.”Kaliyawned,ashecameforward,lettingKokoandVikokoresttheirweapons,

his eyesblinking ashe turned toRatri,whowas still on theground. “I told you.Ratsjustcomeoutwhenthereisfire.Andthentheydie.”Hewasclosetoher,withaswordinhishand,whenBalablockedher.

Ratriyelled,tryingtomakeBalaunderstandthatKaliwassomehowimmunetobladesandotherweapons,wheneverythinghappenedallatonce.Balasmashedthemace, but before it could hitKali, his hands stopped him and he twisted Bala’sthick,burlyarmwithease.Rippinghisshoulder jointandbonesout,Kalipiercedhis sword into Bala’s neck at the same time, skewering him, and his eyes wentlifeless. He then twisted the sword upwards, shattering his skull. Bala’s body,lifeless, lay on the ground, as tears stung Ratri’s eyes. She reached out for him,seeinghisface,destroyedbyKali’sravage.

Itcan’tbe.Andsheturned,rasping,hereyesvenomous,asshereachedforthemacethat

Balaheld.Kalibroughtasworddownonherback,neatlypiercingandtossinghertoontheground.Sheretchedthenlaystill,hereyesseeingnothing.

Kalkithoughthehadseeneverythinguntilthefireblazedinsidethehousetheyhadjustescapedfrom.Thetunnelhad ledthemquitefarfromit,andhewasgladhewasawayfromthewretchedman,Kali.Butthen,thehousewasaflameandKalkitriedandfailedtostopBalafromleaving.

“Ihavetogo,brother,”hehadsaid.Kalki, his energy dead and his joints hurting, shook his head. “No, he’ll kill

you.”“Iwon’tletRatridie.”AndKalkiunderstoodwhatBalawasfeeling.That’showhehadfeltasheraced

acrosstheplainsofShambala,onlytofindLakshmidead.Heunderstoodit,butheknewBalawouldbeingravetroubleifhewent.

“Staysafe.”Balanodded,andwithasmile,said,“Ibelieveinyou,brother.Ibelieveinthe

cause.Bringbackorderagain.”Andheleft,sprintingacrossthefield.Kalkiremainedthere.Thefirehadcausedmostofthehousetocrumble.Where

wasArjan?WherewasthenewgirlPadma?Whywaseverythingsodire?Ithadbeenanhourandthehousehehad lived in,wasnowash.Peoplehad

gatheredaroundit,butKalkididn’tunderstandwhy.Kalkibegantotrudgeforward

withShukooverhisshoulder,whenhewastoppledovertothegroundbyKripa.“Youshouldn’tleave.Let’sgo,Bhargavwaitsforus.”“Idon’tcareaboutsomeman in thehills.This ismyfamily,”Kalkibeganto

walkaway,grittinghisteeth.Hehadreachedandexitedtheplains,whenhesawtheheartrending sight before him. A group of people looked at him, some evenrecognizinghimastheprisonerwhohadescapedontheflyingchariot.Kalkifoundinfrontofhim,twocorpses,hideouslymassacred.

ItwasBala,hisfacedestroyedandRatri,aswordstickingoutofherspine.KripahadmanagedtocatchuptohimasKalkifelltotheground,tearswelling

up in his eyes, his fists clenchingwith hatred.Kripa gasped, as he tugged on toKalki,pullinghimaway.

“Youcan’tseethis.”“I have to kill him,” he said, hismindhadwandered to the timehehad the

racingcontestwithBala.LakshmiwouldhavehatedKalki,nowthathehadletherauntdieaswell.Allthedeathswerenowweighinghimdown.

“Youwill.Buteveryonerecognizesyou,mate.Comewithme,”hepushedhim,awayfromthecrowd.

Kalkipushedtheoldmanaway.“Youdon’tgetit.Ihavetokillhimnow.”Kriparemainedthere,notevenmoving.“Andthenwhat?Getcaughtagainlike

last time,when youwent all heroically in front ofDurukti?Do youwant to gettrappedagain,stuckinthatviciouscycleandkeephavingusfreeyou?”

“There’sno‘we’anymore,”avoicecamefrombehind.“OhfortheloveoftheGods,”Kripagrunted.Kalkiturnedtofaceatall,agilegirl,withshrewdeyesandsilveryhair.Shehada

paleanddrawnface.Asshecameforward,Kalkirealizedshehadbeencrying.“Itshouldn’thavehappened…Itoldhimitwasabadidea,buthedidn’tlisten,”Padmasaid.

“Whatdoyoumean?”Kalkiwaspantingnow.“ArjanfollowedmetoVedanta’spalace,”hervoicewasquiet.“No,”gaspedKalki,hisnightmareswerecomingtrue.“Didhedieaswell?”“I-Idon’tknow…”shebegantocryagain.Kalkigrabbedherbytheshoulders,squeezingthemtightly,makingherwince.“Howdoyounotknowifhediedornot?”“Icouldn’tsee…”shechoked.“Leave her!” yelledKripa, grabbingKalki’s hand, andwho felt a force come

overhim.

HeleftPadma.Shelaytheremutely,ontheground.Kalkilookedup.Fromafarhecouldseehoovesthrowingupdustintheair.ItwastheManavsoldiers.

“Weneedtoleavenow.Fast!”Kripaurged.“Ican’t.Ihavetocheckifhe’sokay…”“He’sdead!” yelledKripa. “All right?Arjan isdead,Bala isdead andRatri is

deadandifyoustayherelonger,wewillalldieaswell.NowIknowyoudon’tlikeeitherofus,butweneedtoleave.Allofus,mate.IknowyouwanttokillKali.Hedidallof this andIagreewithyou.”HeclaspedKalki’s face, and foramoment,Kalki felt hewas looking at him like a son. “But you can’t letDurukti’s episodehappen again. You can’t go there and get caught, getting imprisoned. You willreturn after learning the Ways of the Worthy and you’ll be able to defeat theAdharm.Butforthat,weneedtoleave.”

Youneedtomoveonifsomethinghappenstome,Arjanhadsaidtohim.No.KalkichosetobelievethatArjanwasaliveandwell,andhewouldbeout

there,survivingsomehow.Shukohadbeenflappinghiswings,confused,untilKalkirealizedthathehadlethisangercontrolhimandhehadtocalmdown.Shukosatbackonhisshoulderagain.

“Willyoucomewithus?”KripaaskedPadma.Kalki looked at Padma and both of them shared a look of guilt and

embarrassment,beforesheagreed.Shewipedhertears.Kalkifeltguiltyforhurtingher,butonlyforasplitsecond.

“I’llgowithyou,”shesaid.Kalki suspiciously eyed her, but chose not to speak just then. He was

overwhelmedbygriefandanger.ThepeopleofthecitywerewatchingastheManavsoldiersgotcloser.“Let’sgo.”Kripaofferedhimhishand.“Howdowe…”hetriedtofindwords.“Howdoweescape?”“I have got some horses lined up, from a friend in the city; he’ll get us the

transport.”Kalkinodded,takingtheoldman’shand,andlookedathisbroken,newteam

ofpeople.Helookedatthemanhecouldn’ttrustandthewomanwhohadlefthisbrothertodie.Andhewasn’tsureifhewasreadyforajourneywiththem.

Buthehadnochoice.

Forweaklingsandtraitors,deathwastheonlypath.When it came toKali, he didn’t care about them.Theywereworse than the

scumof this land, thrownandpitted against eachother.They suffered themost.Theyshould.Hehatedthem.WhathedidtoKalki’saccompliceswasexactlywhatthey deserved, and perhaps evenmore, if he had the time. But he had to leave.Peopleweregatheringanditwasnotaniceimagetoseetheirnewkingbeakillerinthestreets.Theyhadtorespecthimafterall.

Duruktideservedthesamefate,butshewashissister.Thebloodbetweenthemstoppedhim fromdoing anything.Butheknewwhathehad todowithher.Hewouldkeepher incontrolwithSymrin,herhandmaiden,whobehisspy.Hehadgiven her gold to speak to him whenever Durukti was a nuisance or try to dosomething.

Butsoftnessandtendernesscrushedhimwheneverhesawherface.Now,ashestoodthere,inherroom,heaskedher,“Wouldyoucomeforthecoronation?”

Hedidn’t have to try so hard in getting the crown fromVedanta.TheNagaleaders were dead, exceptManasa, about whose death he and lied about it. Shewouldn’tbereturningforsure.VedantawasafraidandKaliintendedtofeedonthisfear.

Duruktiwassittingonthewindowsill,lookingatthestars.“Whyisyourchestbloody?”

Kaliwassomuddledupinhisthoughts,hehadforgottenabouthisdishevelledframe.“Iwashandlingsomebusiness.”

“Didyoukillhim?”sheasked.Surely, she spokeof him.Kalki.Themysterious villager fromShambala. Just

becauseof that,Kaliwanted toburndownthevillage,but thenhehadn’t lostallsenseofreasoning.

“Yes,”helied.Sheturned.Therewasnosympathyinhereyes.“Good.”Good?“Whathappenedtoyou?”“Ijustthoughthewasadifferentperson.Buthe’snot.”Kali walked over to her, close, as he clasped her hands. She looked at him,

sternly, brows archedhigh. “I apologize formy actions recently,”Kali sighed. “Iwashurt andangry.Martanjahadawayof influencingpeople.Heconvincedmethatyouwereloverswithhim.”

“Youshouldcaremoreaboutthecitythanmylife.”“Butyour life is importanttome.”Kaliwantedtohugher,butheheldback.

Nomatterhowdistancedtheyhadgrown,hestilllovedherandheknewshelovedhimback,despitethehatred.

“Whathadgottenintoyou?”“Somepeoplebringouttheworst inyou,”hespoke,regardingKalki.Hewas

toostrongforhisownsake,justlikehowKaliwas.PerhapshehadbeensubjectedtotheSomaaswell.“Eachoneofushasadarksideanditcomesouteventually.It’snotplanned.”Hetightenedhishandaroundher.“Butsomepeoplealsobringthebestoutinyou.Idon’twanttoloseyoubecauseofourrecentsquabbles.Youhadyourownrighttodowhatyouwanted.”

Durukticlenchedherteethandslappedhimashardasshecould.Kalitookit,calmly,sighing.“IthinkIdeservedthat.”

“Youdon’townme,brother.You’redamnwellrightyoudeservedit.”“Doesthatmeanyouforgiveme?”Shelookedathimforamoment.Kalicameforward,embracingher,andfora

while shedidn’t reciprocate, until shehuggedhimback in relief.Hepulledback,lookingatherwithwistfuleyes.

“Wouldyoucomeformycoronation?”“DoIhaveachoice?”

Kaliknewexactlywhattosaytoappeaseher.“Yes,youdo.Youdon’thavetoifyoudon’twantto.”

Asmirkpulleduphercheek.“Iwill.”Hewasn’tsureshemeant itor if thingswerebacktonormal,butat least the

façadeof itwas.Hecouldn’t revel in it for longsinceavoicecame frombehindhim.

“My lord, themen from the keep have returned from the infirmary and arewaitingforyou,”Koko’sfamiliarvoicespoke.

Theword ‘keep’ alarmedDurukti. “Whathave youdonewith themedicine Ibroughtforyou?”

“Mydear,”hedexterouslyranhis fingersoverhercollarbone,“theywerenotjustmeremedicines.Theywereanelixir.Andsadly,theyhavebeendestroyed.”

Sheraisedherbrows.“Whatdoyouplantodo?Searchformore?”Kali hadn’t thought of that.Eachpart of his body feltmore thanbetter.He

hadn’tfeltfitterinhislifeandithadcrossedhismind,totravelinsearchformore.Butthendidheneedit?Hehadkeptapouchofit,justincasehisillnessreturned.Butfornow,hewascontent.

“I’making,sister.Ihavebetterthingstoworryabout.”Heslowlykissedheronthecheek.“Thankyouforeverything.Withoutyou,thereisnome,”hewhisperedandhemeantit.

Kalileftthegrandroom,glancingatSymrin,whowasmakingherwayin.TheysharedalookbeforeKalileftwithKokoandVikokotowardsthemainchambers,near the fort’s garden, where he had impaled the propagandist. He reached andfoundfivemen,bandagedandstandingcalmly,withtheirarmsattheback.Moreguardsfromhisfortwerestandingguardbehindthem.Theyalllookedworried.

KalisawtheyallwereRakshas,Martanja’smen,whoweresupposedtokeeptheSomassafe.

“Doyouremember…”hebegan,walkingcalmlybackandfro,ashesawtheirhuge,injuredbodies,“whothoseculpritswere?”

Allofthemshooktheirheadtosayno.“Canyourecognizeanyoneofthemiftheyreturn?”Heplayedwithhisfingers,

lookingathisnails,paringthemagainsteachother.Oneofthemnoddedhishead.“Standinfront.”TheRakshasdid.“Whatisyourname,son?”“Pradm.”

“Pradm,” Kali nodded. The man had a huge gash in his chest, which wasfestering.“Wouldyoumanagetorecognizethemiftheyareback?Didyouhaveagoodlookattheirfaces?”

“Yes,mylord,”Pradmsaid.“Good,”Kaliturnedtotheothers.“Koko,Vikoko,killthemall.”Pradmgasped.KokoandVikoko,quickontheirfeet,slashedtheirheads.Some

protested,butKali’sotherguardsstabbedandseveredtheirtorsos.Pradmwatchedin horror, while Kali shifted his gaze away from him. “Don’t worry. They wereuseless.Raktapa,yourchief,wouldhavemutilatedthemalreadyifyoureturnedtohimlikethat.Ididyouallafavour.”

Pradmshivered,inspitebeingabigmanhimself.SomethingaboutKalimadeevenhimafraid.

“Butyouwon’tgoanywhere,don’tworry,Pradm.Youaregoingtostayrighthere,withme.Won’tyou?”

Pradmweaklynodded.“Great.YouarethenewcommanderfortheRakshasforceinthecity.I’llsend

anote toRaktapa tellinghimaboutyourpostand thecircumstancessurroundingit.”

“ButI’mjustasoldier.”Hehadaweakvoice.That’sjustwhatIneed.“Youaremorethanthat,son.”Hepattedhischest,leavingPradminthemidst

of decimated Rakshas. “And also,” he said without looking at Pradm’s face,“tomorrowismycoronation.Pleasemakeyourselfavailable.”

KalistoodasVedanta,thelastking,cameforward.HehadaforcedsmileasheputdownthecrownoverKali’shead.Butitwasn’tjustthecrown.HeputseveralotherpiecesofjewelleryoverKali,includingrings,braceletsandnecklaces.Kalihadasmirk.Hehadwornarobe,madeofsilkandfur.Vedantaturnedaway,clapping,whilearowofpeople,nobles,andaristocratslineduptocongratulatehim.

Kali turned to his right and watched Vedanta slowly clap with his daughter,whoseemedlikeaproblematfirstsight.Shedidn’thavethecourtesytoclap,butratherhadafrownonherface.Kalididn’tmindtheindecency.Shewasjustachild,afterall.HeevensawKuvera,givinghisplasticgrin,fakeasever.HewaspleasedhoweverthatKaliwasabletodefeathisarchenemies:theNagas.Ontheotherend,hesawDurukti,wholookedpleasanttoday,withSymrinonherside.BehindKali,

Koko and Vikoko stood on opposite sides, standing still like devoted soldiers.PradmwasinthefrontwithhisRakshasguards,kneelingdowntotheirnewking.

Kali stood up to speak. “I have been bestowed with this great duty by thepeople’s man, the last King Vedanta. He was gracious enough to give me thisopportunity,onseeingIhadbetterandmoreprogressiveideastoworkwith.”AndmoresobecausehehadthreatenedhimforUrvashi’ssafety.

“IhavethrownouttheNagatribefromourcity.”Manyuproariouslycheeredthat, and Kali had to calm them down. “I sent them back to their home city.”Though it was a lie. He had put them in one place under the impression thatManasahadsummonedthem.Andthen,hehadkilledeachoneoftheNagas,witharchersstationednearby.“ThusmoreManavsoldiershavebeeninducted,andwecanrestorestatusquoasbestaswecan.”

Everyoneclapped.HehadjustwagedawarwiththeotherNagas.Butfornow,hedidn’tcare.Hehadbrokenhisownpact,butthatwastheonlywaytostopallthefeuds.

“Enjoythefeastandthedrinksandthewomen,ofcourse.”Andhere, the apsaras entered,dancing inhighly revealing clothes.Kali could

see from thecornerofhis eyes thatDuruktiwas feelingashamed,whileVedantagrabbedUrvashi’shandandleftfromtheplace.Itwasasighttobehold.

Kali satonhis throne,hishandsdangling fromthearmsofhis throne,ashecasuallypositionedhimself.Hehadgreatplans for thecity,buthewouldn’t stophere.He’dgofortheotheronesnow.Hewasstrongandhewasback.

Koko leaned forward, while Kali saw the nobles enjoying the sight of theprostitutes.“Mylord?”

“Yes?”“LordVedantahasleft.”“Iknow.”Kaliwasdismissive.“Asyouhadplacedyourguardsinhisfort,theywerequicktonoticeafamiliar

prisonertheyhadearlierseen.”“Familiar,yousay?”Kaliraisedhisbrows.“Callhimhere.”“Allright,mylord.”Andwithinmoments,theprisonerwasbroughtin,withhisheadcoveredina

sack,andhandstiedbyatightrope.Kalidrankhiswine,ashesignalledthesacktobelifted.

Whenthesackwasremoved,itrevealedafamiliarfigure.Withwoundsacrosshis body, the boywas the same one he had been seen during the trial, assistingKalki’sflight.

Pradm,whowas standing right there, ran instantly towardsKali andnodded.“It’shim,mylord.Oneofthem.”

Kali sighed,walkingclumsily and spillinghiswine in theprocess, ashecameclose to the prisoner. “So you thought destroyingmy propertywould be a goodidea?”

Pradminterjected.“Mylord,shouldIcuthimopen?”“No, that’llbe tooeasy.”He lookedat theboy,pattinghimon theshoulder.

“We’ll have some funwith him.Death is too quick and too easy a punishment.Whatisyourname,boy?”

Theboy, insteadof responding, spatonKali.Kaliwiped itoff,watching thehugescarthatranacrosstheboy’sface.

“Thename isArjan,” theboybegan,“and if youwant to surviveany longer,youshouldkillmerightnow.”

Kalilikedhim.Oh,helikedtheboyalready.Hewasfeisty.We’llsee,boy.We’llsee.

Hewasn’tdead.Durukti knew that a boy like Kalki, splendidly powerful in his own right,

couldn’tdiesoeasily.Kaliwantedtomakeherbelievethispremise,perhapstryingtotakeawayherhopesthattherewasaherocomingtosaveher.ButDuruktididn’tneed a hero. She had to be careful. Regardless ofKalki leaving herwith a starkravingmadman,whom sheonce knew asher brother, shedidn’t hateKalki. ShehadtoshowshehatedhimsothatshecouldevadeKali’ssuspicions.

He wasn’t the same man anymore. He acted differently these days. He feltdifferenttoo.Andworstofall,helookeddifferent.Theoncegolden-eyedboywithwavyhairwasreplacedwithabaldman,withskinthatmatchedthecolourofcoals.WasittheeffectoftheSomas?

Sure,shewishedKalkicouldhavetakenheraway.Andtherewasstillacertainpartwithinherthatwantedtoslaphim.Buthehadadifferentpathtogoonandshehadadifferentpathtotravel.Shecouldn’tforceitonhim.

“IfthereisonepersonwhocanhelpKalirightnow,itisyou.Savehim.Andchangehimifyoucan,”Kalkihadsaidtoher.

Ah.Changewas futile now.Chaos had engulfedKali’smind.He had forcedVedantadownfromthethronebythreateningtokillUrvashiifhedidnotabdicate

peacefully.Powerhadcorruptedhimtothecore.Oncehehadwantednothingbutpeace,butnowKalididn’tcare.Hewouldcrushandtoppleanyonewhoblockedhisway.He had betrayed the verymenhe had entered into the agreementwith,turning acrimonious towardshis own sister.Durukti didn’t feel guilty.Therewasnothingshehaddonewrongoratleastshefeltshehadn’t.Shewantedtorunaway,butescapingwasn’ttheanswer.Docilemanipulatorslivelong,andsheplannedtodothat.Andyes,shewouldtrytochangehimwhileshestayedsilent.Ohyes,shewould. Ithurther to seehim thisway. It killedher everyday. Shewanted togobackandbewithKali, in thewayheused tobe, away from thecivilization, in ahappyendingthatnowseemedfar-fetched.

The skies offerednothingbut darkness.The stars didn’t glimmer.Thewindswereeasyandlight,justsoftlycoursingoverherskin.Thealmostburntoutcandlemade her realise that she had given her dress to Symrin for washing, as sheintendedtowearitthenextday.Sheleftherchamber,lookingforSymrin.Shehadbeen her trusted aide and friend for a while now, and even though Kali’stransformationhadbegunafterimbibingtheSomas,assuggestedbyher,shecouldhavehardlyknowntheeffectsitwouldhaveonKali.

Shewalkedcasuallyalongthedarkcorridors.Shehadn’tseenSymrinsincethecoronation.

Ohhowawfulitwas,thecoronation!Somewereglad,whilemosthadopenlyhatedKali.Hehadmadealotofenemiestoday.

She saw some soldiers,Manavs,whowere standing anddiscussingwith eachother about the current king and how everything was disrupted in the currentpoliticalmilieu.OnseeingDurukti,theyshutupimmediately.

Durukti didn’t pay heed to their nonsensical gossip. She came to the point.“Haveyouseenmyhandmaiden?”

“Uh, my lady, we last saw her in her room,” one of them coughed up theanswer.

Durukti nodded as she left themen,walking to Symrin’s quarter, whichwasaway from the main building and inside the smaller one in Kali’s fort. Duruktireachedthecorridor,whichwascuriously lackingguards.Thewallsweremadeofroughlyhewn stone,while the floorwas coveredwith the lingering shadows thatappearedfromthefirelampsthatlitthepathwayonbothsides.ShefinallyreachedSymrin’sroom,whensheheardsomething.Therewerevoices.Surelyoneofthem

wasSymrin,buttheother…itwasstrangesounding.Itwasofaman.Solateatnight?Symrinhadn’ttoldDuruktiaboutanymaninherlifeandyet…Shedidn’twait.Sheslowlypushedthedooropen,andpeeredinsidetheroom.

Itwasdark,withonly twosmallcandles throwingweak lightover theroom.Thewindows were curtained, and not much was visible, except Symrin, who waskneelingdown,herhandsclaspedtogether.Durukticouldn’topenthedoorfurther,forifshedid,Symrinwouldgettoknowofherpresence.LightilluminatedSymrin,withlongfingersofshadowdancingonherpaleskin.

Theenergyorthepower,comingofffromthemanorwhateveritwas,hadacertainaura.Duruktiwantedtoseewhoitwas,anditwashereveryright,butshewantedtohearwhattheyweretalkingaboutfirst.

“Goodwork,mychild,” thevoice spoke, sounding like itbelonged toanoldmanandyettherewasatangibleyouthfulinflectionandcadencetoit.

“Thankyou,Master.”Symrinloweredherhead.“Everythingworkedoutaspertheplan.TheWhiteHorseisonhiswaytotheNorth,withyouruncle.”

“Indeed,”thevoicerasped.“It’slikedominos.Youhitoneandeverythingfallsinplace.”

“Just like how you told me to tell Durukti about that story of my so-calledfatherandthemanwhowaslookingforhiswife’scure.”

“Yes.Itworked,didn’tit?”hepaused.“Itwasn’tastory,however.”“Itsurelyworked,”shegrinned.“Whowasthatman,Master?”“Whoelse?Kalki’sfather.”“Youmethim?”Hervoicequipped.“Of course.”The shadows flickered. “Itwasmewho forcedhim to take the

Somasfromthecave.”Symrinswallowed.Durukticouldseethatshewasabouttosaysomethingshe

wouldregret.“I’mafraid,Master,”Symrinbegan,“IhopeKalididn’tseemewhenIreadthecardsinthebazaar.”

“Don’t worry, you were disguised well,” he said, “but choose your assassinscarefullynexttime.WewerefortunatetheNagawaskilledbeforehecouldrevealwhohadhiredhim.”

“But it worked in our favor. Vasuki was the casualty of the entiremisunderstanding.”

Thevoicerasped,“Donotbeexcitedaboutdeaths,Symrin.Whatwedo,isforabiggercause.”

“Whydon’tyoujusthelpyouruncle,Master?Afterall,youbothwantthesame

thing.”“No.”Sadnesscorrodedhistone.“Hedidn’twantthisAgetohaveabattlelike

lasttime.ButIdid.IhavenochoiceandnowthatIhavetriggeredthis,hehasnochoicebuttodowhathedidn’twanttodo.”

Symrinmeeklynodded.“Youhavebeenworkingreallyhard,Master,fromthetimeyoupoisonedKalitogethimill,sothatDuruktiwouldn’thaveanychoice,buttogettheSomasforhim.”

“Muchbeforethat,”hepaused,hisvoicewheezing.“YoucansayIhadmoldedbothofthemwithoutthemevenknowingaboutit.”

“ButhowdidyouknowitwasKaliwhowouldbeAdharm?”“IhadusedtheEyeofBrahma.Icanseethepast,thepresentandthefuture,

andIsawwhatkindofchaoswastobebroughton.OnlyanAdharmcandoso,”hesaid.“Iapologize,child,forIdidnotexplainallofthistoyoubefore,sincewedidnothaveenoughtimeandalsobecauseIwasuncertainwhetheryouwouldgivethesedetailsaway.”

“No, please. Do not apologize, Master, I beg of you. Though the Eye…”Symrin’seyeswidenedwithdelight,“whereisit,Master?”

“Notwithme,asIamnowwaitingfortheWhiteHorse.Ihadusedita longtime back during the Breaking to see if everything was in place and I had seenglimmersofwhowouldbeDharmandwhowouldbeAdharminthefuture.”

“Becareful,mylord,”shepleaded.“Donotworry.”AndDurukticouldn’tholdbackanylonger.Shehadtoseethepersonwhowas

manipulatingeveryoneinthescene,causingeveryoneharm.Sheslowlyopenedthedoor further, carefully positioningher face and craningher neck forward, so shesaw the lightwhichemanated from theman.But little couldbe seenof themanhimself.He surely was a reflection. But howwas he able to communicate then?Whatsorceryisthis?

Andthat’swhenshesawit.Regardlessofthelackofclarity,therewasoneclearthingthatstruckouttoDurukti,causingchillstorundownherspine.

Hehadascaracrosshisforehead.

TOBECONTINUED…

Readtwoexclusivechapters…

Hefell.Hecouldn’tseemuch.Thoughhecouldfeelalot.Heavyrocksbrushedagainst

his arm, tearing his skin. And thorns pricked his ankles and knuckles.He heardwatersomewhere; thesteadynoiseof flowingwater.Gashes,bruisesandwoundsmarkedhisbody,hisdhotiwasscorched.

Flexinghisbicepsagainsttheground,hetriedtogetup.“KALKI!”Someonecalledouthisname.Itwasagirl.Damn,wretchedgirl.He

didn’teventalktoher,yetshecalledforhim.Butthen,itwasn’therfault,hehadfallenlloffhishorsefromamountainslope.

Kalkileanedagainsttherock,watchingtheskiesthatwereovercast.Thevoicesechoedfrombehind,buthedidn’tcare.Heremainedsilent.Hewantedtobeawayfrom them and hence hewelcomed his fall, albeit a result of his clumsiness.Hewatchedthedankforest,withitsverdantfoliageandcanopies.Buthewastryingtogetridofevil,awayfromIndragarh,andfromShambala,wheretheentirechainofeventshadstarted.

“KALKI!”Itwastheman’svoicenow.Kripa.Whatabloodymess!Atleasthedidn’tdrinkanymore.

“MAN!” Another voice appeared and this was not familiar. In fact, it came

fromnearhim.Hisearsstrained,headcockedforward,ashesawtherewasasmallcave that

led downwards from the slope of the mountains. And from there, a head waspeeringathim.

“Man?”Kalkinarrowedhiseyes.“Uh,”helookedback.HecouldseeKripaandPadma

weredescendingfromthemountainsontheirhorses.TheunevenpathsweretheirproblemsandKalkihoped theywouldcome fast since the creature that stood infrontofhimlookedanythingbuttame.

“Man?”Kalkiwasfrozenathisplace.“Man,yes,”heresponded.“Man,”henodded.HeshowedhimselfandKalkirealizedhewaswearingalion-skinoverhishead.

Hehadastrangefurryneckandahairychestaswell.Hehadaconvolutedframe,withahumpedbackandslightlymisshapenlimbs.Helookedhungry,andreadytoattackKalki.Hewalkedonfourlegslikeananimal,butwhenhestoodstraight,hewastallerthanKalki.

“Me,Simha.”“Simha?”Kalkihadheardthatnamesomewhere.“DaroodaSimha,”heclapped,withamanicsmirkoverhisface.“You,man,”

hepokedKalki.Hisnailsweresosharpthathedrewblood.“Darooda,eh?”Strangename,butthenthemanhadwhiskersemanatingfrom

hismouth.Kalkiwassurelyinthewronglands.“Darooda.” He began to jump lightly over his legs, beating his chest and

hooting.“Youdon’tneedtobesoexcited,friend.”Kalkimusteredagrin.Hedidn’tlike

theTribals,neverdid.Theydestroyedhisvillage,killedtheloveofhislifeandlefthis friends to die. TheManavs irked him enough as well, but not asmuch as aTribals.And yet, herehewas, standing in frontofone, trying tobe friendswithhim.

“Food?”Daroodaasked.“Hungry?”“Uh.”Kalkiwas indeedhungry.By theGods, he had forgottenwhenhe ate

last.Applesperhaps,afewhoursback,buttheydidn’tsustainyouforlong.“Mutton,inside.”“Idon’teatmeat,friend,”Kalkisaid.Daroodaslumpedhisshoulderindisappointment.“Meatgood.”“Iknow.”

“Come,”hesignalledtowardsthecave,“food.”“Iwait, formyfriends,”hetoldDarooda,pointingatPadmaandKripa,who

managed to appearwith their horses at the right time.They hadbroughtKalki’shorseaswell.

“Whatintheheavenswereyouthinkingaboutthatyoufellfromthehorse,eh,mate? You are an Avatar, but even you should consider yourself lucky that youdidn’tdie,”Kripascolded.

Darooda instantly squealed and rushed back, scampering for safety near thecave’sentrance.Kripagotdown,grabbing the reinofhishorse.HepattedKalki.“What’swithhim?”

“DaroodaSimha.”“Iaskedwhat’swithhim,notwhoishe,mate,”gruntedKripa.“Mustbeyourshoutingthathegotafraidof.”Kripascowled.“IknowheisaSimha,”headded.Simha.Thenamesoundedsofamiliarthatitmadehisearsstandwithcuriosity.

“Where have I heard this?” Then he recalled. It was at theGurukul, withGuruVashishta,wherehehadreadabouttheancienttribes.

Bythistime,Padmahadreacheddownaswell,gazingatthecreature.Shewasashortwoman,uglyandhorrible.But then itwasKalki’s anger thatmadehimseeherinthatway.Inreality,shewastallandslim,hadastraightfacewithkohl-linedeyesandshort,croppedsilverhair.

“LookslikeaTribal,”shesaid.Kalki ignoredwithagrimace.Padmanoticedthat,butdidn’tsayanything.He

didn’tlikeher,andhehadeveryrighttohatehersince,becauseofher,Arjanhadbeenkidnapped,andwasperhapsdead.Kalkididn’tknowwhathadhappenedtohim and the very thought of it unleashed a maelstrom of hateful and vitriolicemotionswithinhim.

“He isone, indeed.Simha,”Kripaadded jovially,“onceagrand tribe like theSuparns.Simhasweretheunknowns,theproudbeings, theheroes.Narasimha,asthelegendssay,haddefeatedanAsura,whomnoonecoulddefeat.ButSimhasaregenerallydevoteesoflions,andweartheirskinasprotectionandgrowtheirhairontheir face like a lion.Mostwentmissing after awhile, and itwas presumed theywereextinct.”

“Whatledtotheirextinction?”Kalkiasked.“ItwasthebattlewiththeManavs,wheretheTribalslost.Butthiswasduring

theMahayudh.”

“Simhasarethatold?”Padmaasked.“Simhasexistedfarbeforethesepresenttimes.Backthen,theAncientsfought

witheachother,andaplaguehadravagedtheland,knownasBreaking,whichwasanaftermathtotheMahayudh.”

AllofitwasclearforKalki,butitonlymadehimwonderhowoldKripawas,sincehehadclaimedtobeahundredyearsold.ButthentheMahayudhhappenedearlier than that, But this wasKripa’s chronology, and he didn’t trust him a lot.History was convoluted and confusing and he had better not dwell on that;otherwisehe’dendupwithaheadache.

“Very,”henodded.“Theywerewarriors,worshippersofsun,andnowlookatthem, gonemad.Hemust be a descendant,” he signalled atDarooda, “who hasforgottenhisheritage.Poorfellow.”

Kalkiasked,“Howdidtheygomad?”“DuringtheMahayudh,therewereradiationsused…”“Radiations?”“Bombs,” he snapped at Padma, glaring at her, “the one you took for your

personalcause.”Kalkisawherlookingatherpouch,whichsheperhapsstillcarried.“They were used in heavy quantities, while the ones I gave you, lass, are

ordinary.Theonesusedduring theMahayudhwerehorrible, causingmany togocrazy.TheKingscameafter that,butnonesurvived.Eventheparticipantsofthewarleftforthemountainsanddiedhorriblyafterstarvingfordaysonend.”

ItwouldhavesoundedtoodarkandgrimtoKalkiearlier.Nowhewasusedtoit. “What shouldwedo then?”Kalki asked, concerned aboutDarooda.Themanmusthaveseenenoughwrongfulnessintheworld.

“Do?We go for the north, aswewere supposed to.”Kripa reached for thehorses,tryingtomanoeuvrethemontheoppositeside,togobackfromwheretheycame.

“Whatabouthim?”“It’sraining,”Padmaintervened.Kalkiignoredher.“Wegoback,”Kripasaid.“Mate,wearen’thelpingeverycrazywemeetonthe

road,justsoyouknow.”“Do you plan to help anyone at all, or will you just let everyone die in the

processofmakingmeawarrior?”Kalkiblurted.“It’s going to rain hard,” Padma intervened again, and Kalki could hear the

rollingsoundsofthunder.

Kripaflaredhisnostrils.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”“YouknowwhatImeanbythat.”Kalkicameforward.“Arjantoldme,before

leaving,aboutsomethinghehadheard.”“Whatdidhehear?”Itwasrainingtorrentiallybynow.ButnoneofitmatteredtoKalki,ashehad

squareduptoKripaandwasglaringathim.“YOUTWO!”yelledPadma.“It’sraining,weneedshelter.”“Wego intherain,”Kripaannouncedsolemnly.Kripawasanoldchap,with

nervespushingout fromhis fragile skin.Hehad a stinkingmouth anddarkhairthatwasgreasyandmatted.

Kalkishookhishead.“No,westayandwestaywithDarooda.”“I’mnotstayingwithamadman.”“Food,”cawedDarooda,quietlyfromthecorner.Padma pushed both the men forward towards the cave. “While you two

imbecilesquarrel,I’llrestintheshelter.Hello,Darooda,”shegrinned,whileinchingthethreehorsesinsidethecave,awayfromtherain.

Kalki stayed there for amoment until he shrugged. “We both know you aremorethanwhatyoushow.Idon’texpectanswers,Acharya.ButIseektoknowthelimitsyouwillcrossinordertomakeawarrioroutofme.”Andwiththat,helefttheoldmanintherain.He’dsurelynotdieofcoldorrainwater,sincehewasanimmortal,blessedbythelastAvatarhimself.

Kalkihadthepowertomakesomeoneimmortalaswell,buthedidn’twanttofacethemoralconundrumofdoingthesame.Endowingsomeonewithimmortalitycouldbeagiftoracurse,andinthiscase,Kripasurelyhadacurse.HehadgonemadlikeDarooda,butatleasttheSimhaseemedtobenice.

Shuko, his parrot, sat down over his shoulder and began to chirp, “Pisach!Pisach!”whichKalkididn’tunderstand.Hehadsenthisbird tosee ifanydangerwas lurkingaroundand thefoolishbirdwas justutteringgibberish.KalkienteredthecavetofindPadmastandingattheentrance,frozenatherplace.Helookedatherdark,dilatedpupilswhenherealized,therewassomethinghewasmissing.Helookedupatthecave,whichwaslikeanycaveupinthemountain.Empty,desolateandfilledwithdirtandmud.

And yet, unlike the other caves, this one had real people, tied up,with theirmouthsgaggedbyropesandcloth.Theywerewhimpering,tearsliningtheirfaces.Theyhadbruisesallovertheirkneesandtorso.Twoofthemwerewoman,andthethirdwas a baldman,with a strange tattoo over his left eye, in the shape of anarrow.PerhapsaManav,butKalkicouldn’tmakeoutclearly.

“Food,”DaroodaSimhabegantojump,clappinghishands,beatinghischest.“Them?”Kalkiswallowedalump.“No,”heshookhishead,asifKalkihadmisunderstoodhimallthistime.“You.”

Outofallthethingsintheworld,Arjanhadneverbelievedhimselftobeawrestler.Andherehewas,stationedtobeanexhibitfortheentertainmentofthenobles,thearistocrats who dined with the best of mutton and wines, laughing with theirwomenwho sat on their laps, as theywatched two hulking bodies fighting eachother.

Arjan realizedhewas todo that.Withbondsoverhishands,hewatched thewrestlerswiththerestoftheprisoners,astheygrabbedeachother’sshoulders,feettrying tomaintainbalance, trying to toppleeachother.Onefinallydidandbroketheotherwrestler’sneck.Thiswasagamewherenoonecaredwhowouldliveordie.Arjanbreathedasighofreliefsincehedidn’thavetogonowandfight.Hehadtowaitandlearnfirst.

Theentirearenawasfullandintheforefront,sittingwithhisguards,wasKali.Hewasenjoyinghimself,asanApsarasatoverhislap,ashelaughedandcheered.Thenoblesputbetsontheoutcomes.Theyalllookedhedonisticallydishevelled.

Arjanfeltlikeretchinginsuchanenvironment,whichwassupposedtobethecityofIndra,andwhichhadahugeVishnustatueasasymbolofpurity.ButnoneofthisconcernedKali.Gamblingoverlifeanddeathwasthenewfashionnow.

“Shhh,”avoicecamefromtheback.

Arjanstoodinthemiddleofahuddleofsad,petrifiedfaces.Theragtaggroupwasbarefoot,withbloodybruisesontheirbacks.TheywereledbyMasterRanga,their trainer and jailor. Arjan hadn’t learnt a lot from him since hewasn’t takenseriouslyduetohissize.

Arjanturnedtoseeaboy,perhapsalittleolder,butwide-eyed.Hehadhairthatfelloverhis templesandhewasa littleplump,unlike theothers.Arjanwasabitsurprised,sincetheprisonmealswerebarelyadequate,andthemilksmelledlikethesweatofahag’sbreast.

“MynameisVikram,”hesaid,“howdoyoudo,fella?”Seriously?“Ihadseenyououtthere,ontheflyingthingy,whileIwaswaitingformytrial.”

He was bright-eyed, grinning, and perhaps too shocked to be here. “It was awonderfulsight.Howdoyouoperatethat,fella?Needtoknow,youknow.I’llgetoutandfindmyselfanicebarnwhereI’mgoingtoworkonthelatestinventions.”

“Ihatetobeblunt,butwearelookingatourdeathshereandyouworryabouttheflyingthing?”

“Oh, they justputusonshowtoscareus.”Vikramwavedhishandoff, thatwaschainedbymetalmanacles.“Onlythebestfight,whilerestofusjusttrainanddon’tgetanywhere,asnoonewantstoseeaboring,non-competitivematch,youknow?”

“I’m sure things will change soon.” Arjan gritted his teeth.He could feel it.Ever since Kali had become a king, he had replaced the Nagas, who hadmysteriouslyvanishedovernight,withManavsas jailersandofficers intheprison.Heeventookoverthe lastking’sfort.If itwasuptoVedanta,Arjanwouldhavedied,fortrespassingwithasilver-hairedgirlasVedantasaid.ButhewasbroughtinfrontofKali,asKalihadorderedallofthemtobejudgedinfrontofhim.

The fight had ended andKali had come forward, declaring thewinner, withapplause and hooting from one side, which had bet on him. Thewrestler had asternandstraightface,withbroad,darkfeatures.Hehadangryandstubborneyes,and skin as dark as charcoal. He was handsome, and something churned insideArjan’sstomach,whichhedismissed.The last thinghewantedwastosexualizeafighter,especiallyone thathewouldendupfightingsoon.Butheknew ifhedidfightwiththisone,Arjanwouldbesmashedintoapulp.

HewentbythenameofRudra,oneofthenamesforLordShiva.“Ourbestfighter,”sleeklyKalispoke,“nonecanbeathim,andnonewill.”He

held upRudra’s arm. “You feastwithme today, boy.”He slappedRudra’s back,whonoddedwithagrunt,beforemovingtowardsthehordeofamateurwrestlers,

whereArjanstood.PrayingtosomehigherGod,Arjandidn’twantKali’sslitheringgoldeneyesto

findhim.Butthen,Kaliwalkedup,ashesaid,“Youallaregoingtobetrainedtofight andcontinue the legacyof thegreatLord Jarasandha.”He talked about themegalomaniac emperor of Aryavarta who was an Ancient, ruling before theBreaking. He had died horribly, courtesy of Lord Govind, who along withVrikodara, had set up a wrestling match. Jarasandha couldn’t die; as he was anAsura,aracenowextinct.Hecouldn’tdie,becausehewasdrunkonSoma,orthat’swhatKripahadsaidabouthimwhiletheyweretravellingtowardsIndragarh.Kripatalkedabouttheseincidentsasifhehadlivedthroughthem.Jarasandhawasfinallykilled when his body was sliced into two parts and thrown on opposite sides.Confused,hecouldn’tformhimselfagain,therebydying.

Noneofthesethingshappenedanymore.ButthenhehadseenKalki.KalistoppedatArjan’sside.Heglaredathim,hiseyesfirstnarrowingandthen

widening.Arjancouldfeelhisbreath,butheshowednofearorangerforthatwasexactlywhatKaliwanted—forArjantoreact.Buthecontrolledhimself.

“You,”hegrabbedArjan’sshoulder,pullinghimfromthecrowd.Arjanwasforciblytakenaway,grittinghisteeth,ashewasputinthemidstof

thegamblers,who sizedhimup.Arjan frowned,hishands stillbound.Hedidn’tunderstandwhyhewaspushedintothearenawhenhewasn’teventrained.Hewasjust anotherprisoner.Rudra stood still,watchingArjan, andwordlessly ridiculinghim with a look of scathing contempt. Up close, Rudra wasn’t even that goodlooking!

“Youareweak!”“Whyarewesendingoffanamateur?Trainhimfirst!”“Hedoesn’tevenhavethemuscles!”All thevoicescamefromthecrowdandArjanhadahardtimeguessingwho

waswho.Kali came in between the two fighters, as he grabbedArjanby the shoulder,

lockinghim inhis grasp.For a kingwhodidn’twage toomanybattles,Kaliwasstrong,hisbicepsthickerthanArjan’s,andabodythatlookedlikeitwascarvedoutfromgranite.

“Whydon’twehavea littlefun,eh?”Kaligrinned.“Whydon’twe letRudra,ourstarfighter,fightwithsomeonewhoisyettobetrained?”

Arjan’sheartbeatrose.No.MasterRangacameforward, trudgingcarefullyandmeeklyspeakingout.“My

lord,theboyhasnoideahowtodefendhimself.Itwon’tbeafairfight.”Kalilookedathimasifhehadmadeanoffensivestatement.“Doesitlooklike

Icare?Weneedcompetition.Wedon’tcareifit’sfairornot.”Everyonebegantoclapandhoot.“Butmylord,IhaveothersRudracancompetewith.Thereareothers,fitand

fine, forhim to fightwith,”hepaused, frightenedhehadspokenunbidden.“Letmetrainhimfirstandyoucanthendowhatyouwanttodowithhim.”

KalicametoMasterRanga,whobackedoff.“Leave,”hecoldlyraspedandthejailorslowlyscurriedtotheback.

People clapped loudly, laughing. Arjan failed to notice Vedanta or Kuveraamongstthecrowd.

“Let’shaveabet,”yelledKali.“Whodoyouthinkwillwin?”Everyone called out Rudra’s name. In fact, Rudra sniggered at the question,

glaringatArjan,whochosetoremainsilentandimpassive.Thoughtful,hebegantothink of other ways to defeat. Rudra, trying to recollect all the instances whereRudrahadbaredanychinksinhisarmour,whilefightingwiththeotherwrestlers.Rudra locked the enemy, grabbed their neck and twist it. Sometimes, he wouldforcethebodytoplummetdownontheground,andthenbreakitsbones.

Arjan slowly swivelledhishead towardsVikram,whowasgulping in tension.TheveryplumpmanhadtoldArjanthatonlythebestwenttofight.Ah,butArjanknewdamnwell thatKaliwouldtakehisrevengeforspittingonhim,stealinghisSoma,burningitandthenhelpingintheconvictescape.Ifonewouldthinkaboutit, Kali was actually being generous in not just feeding Arjan to the lions. ButglancingbackatRudra,Arjandidfeelunwarrantedshiversrundownhisspine.

TheManavguardscameforward,openingArjan’schainsandthentossinghimontheground.Arjan,feelingthemudontheground,lookedattheopensky.Theentire place was small, but the ring of seats around the arena were arranged inhierarchicheight,toaccommodateagreatervolumeofaudience.

Arjanstoodup,crackinghisknuckles.Rudrawas in frontofhim,grunting,aplayful smiledancingoverhis lips.ArjanglancedatKali,whohad satback.Kalirubbedthetopofhisnoseandthenwithasweepofhisarmsignalledthefighttostart.Thetrumpetblewfromsomewhere.EverythingwentblankforArjanandbythetimehisvisualsensescameintheforay,hewaspushedagainstthegroundandpummeledbythehulkofaman.Hisbackbrushedharshlyagainsttheground,thewoundsfromthearrowstillstinging,hiseyestearingupashefeltthehurt.

Horror seized him as Rudra grabbed for his neck, but Arjan dodged him,deflecting his bulky arms with his sinewy hands. Whenever Rudra would come

forward,Arjanwould sweep his hand and knock him.Rudra finallywrapped hislegs aroundArjan’s, coiling tightly, and turned his upper body to the other side,slammingArjan’sfronttorsoagainsttheground.Rudraleanedforwardcasually,ashebegantobitehisskin,whilehewhispered,“Likingitmuch?”

Arjanarchedhisbrows,confusedby theman’swords,butwith themighthehad,hepushedhimselffromthegroundandRudrafellback.ThecrowdstoppedjeeringforasecondasRudrabegantostandup,twitchingonesideofhisshoulderasifhehadanitch.

“Youaregood,”Rudragrinned,“butsorry.Inorder tosurvive,Ihavetokillyou.”

Arjan’sfeetremainedfrozenasRudrachasedtowardshim,hishandclenchingintoa fistasArjan raisedhisarms indefense. Itwasnomorewrestling. Itwasashowofbrawnsandpunchesandkicks.

“Sorryfriend,nomoreescapeforyou.”And there was no escape. As Arjan tried to fidget, Rudra punched him,

breakinghisnose.Bloodstreameddownhisfaceandintohismouth.Thepainwasringing in his head, obscuring the field of his vision.His heartwas thunderouslyracing.

Rudrafinallybegantochokehim.Arjan,gaspingforhisbreath,triedtogethimoff,but itdidn’twork.Hewasbeginning toseedarksspots,asheslowlychokedfromthelackofair,hiseyesshuttingonitsownaccord,welcomingthedarkness.

RAKSHAS–Intelligenthumanoids,bornintheSouthontheislandofEelam,are strong in combat and have tougher skin compared to other Tribals. Theiraverageheightgoesabovesixfeet.Theyhaveapatriarchalsystemandtheirculture,regardless of their furiousness, is quite backward. Most of them worship LordShiva,butareoftenconsideredbyothersasatheists.Theyhaveblackskinandoiledhair.

NAGAS–RoyalandaristocraticlivinginthecityofNaagpuriwhichfloatsonalake. Nagas worship Sheesha and Lord Vishnu. Nagas are diplomats more thanwarriors,buthavegrown theirmilitary systemoveraperiodof time.Womenarerespectedintheirculture.Theyaresaidtohaveblueeyesandfairskin.

YAKSHAS–Short inheight andmischievous.They are considered the leastthreatening,butareverygood in finances.Theyworshiponly theirKingandnotanygod.Theylackmilitaryandpoliticalskills.Yakshinis,thefemalecounterpartoftheYakshas,arerare.TheyliveinAlakpurwhichisinthemidstofadesert.TheyaretherichestTribecomparedtoothers.

ASURAS – Extinct race. Not much is known about this Tribe. They wereconsideredtobethereasonbehindalltheevilinthisworld.Therewasagreathunt

of thisTribewheremanyAsura children,women andmenwere slaughtered andhanged due to the superstition. Some survived and have been consideredwandering.Theyareatheists.

DANAVS–BrothersofAsuras,theyaresupposedlyastallastreesandashugeasmountains.Theywerethearch-enemiesofthegodsandarenowconsideredtobe in sleep for theirwalkscancreate tremors.Theyaregrandly fantasizedduringbedtimestoriesandmanyhavenotseenthemsincetheBreaking.

PISACHAS–Cannibals.LiveoverswampsinDaldalLands.Theyworshipthe‘thefittest’.Theybelieve inkarmaandthey ink theirbodieswitheachcrimetheyhavecommitted.Theyareconsideredtobementallyunstableandonlyafoolwouldcrosstheirlands.

VANAR – They live in Dandak Forest. They are considered to be vastlyknowledgeable.Theyhavehairybodieswhich are ridiculed asdefects.Theyhavegone underground and they choose not to be friendly towards visitors. Theyworship theirprotectorLordBajrangwho isconsideredasan immortaland theirking.

NOTE:Thereareothertribesthatarenotinthelist.Theyareyettoberesearchedanddocumented.

–VedVyas.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Abookiscomprisedofnot just thewriter’shardwork,butmanyothers’aswell.AndIwouldliketo listall thosewhohavesupportedmeinthisventuretobringoutthefirstbookinafantasyseriesthatiswithoutdoubtmymagnumopus.

Iwouldbeginwithmyparents.Myfatherwhowithhiseverlastingsupportandlove is the reason you find this book in your hand. We had disputes in everycreativedecisionwetooktowardsthisprojectandbecauseofthosequarrelsithascomeforthbeautifully.MymotherwhobeingastaunchChristianhadacceptedtheideathatherson iswritingonaHindugod,puttingherbeliefsonthesecondary.Her acceptance and her support was enough tomakeme realize onemust be ahumanfirstandreligious,second.

Iwouldliketothankmyeditorwhotirelesslysatthrougheighthourseverydayediting, rewriting, and finessing it. Shemolded it and I amever greengrateful toher.

I would like to thank Anuj Kumar for helping it launch through KalamosLiteraryServicesandbeingeagertocreateandlaunchthefirstmyth-fantasyofourpublication. I am also grateful to Artthat Studio whomade this beautiful cover,Ajitabha Bose who filled this cover with amazing fonts and styles. My PR helpDimple Singh and Seema Saxena (Jashna Events) who supported me and wereenthusiasticaboutit.

I would also like to thankGaganKabra for his amazing contribution to thetrailerandposters.Hehasworkedharderthanmeandmadethisprojectsuccessful.

Andinlast,Iwouldliketothankyou,myreader.YouareamazingandIhopeyouenjoythisbook.

KevinMissal is a twenty-one-year-old graduate of St. Stephen’s College. He hasrecentlyreleasedthefirstbookoftheKalkiTrilogy,DHARMAYODDHAKALKI:AVATAR OF VISHNU , which has received praise from newspapers such asMillennium Post and Sunday Guardian who have termed it as “2017’s mythologicalphenomenon”.

Kevin loves reading,watching films, andbuilding stories inhismind.He lives inNewDelhiandcanbecontactedat:kevin.s.missal@gmail.com.