Kali simply helped Ganesh through the fence gate.
As they entered, Ganesh recoiled. Kali strengthened her hold on him. ‘Relax. He is not in danger.’
At a distance, Kartik was engaged in a furious duel with Parvateshwar. He was moving at a speed that shocked Ganesh. The three-year-old may have been the size of a seven-year-old, but he was still significantly smaller than the gargantuan Parvateshwar. The Meluhan General was swinging hard with his sword. But Kartik was using his size to devastating effect. He bent low, forcing Parvateshwar to sweep lower with his sword, an action that most skilled swordsmen were not good at. Nobody trained to battle midgets. Kartik also had the ability to jab and swing with shattering speed and accuracy, swinging up at Parvateshwar at an angle that any grown man would have found impossible to defend. In just a few minutes, Kartik had already stopped short of three deathly blows at the Meluhan General, all in the lower torso area.
Ganesh stood gaping.
‘He’s been practicing every day since you were injured,’ said Kali.
Ganesh was even more amazed by something he had seen only a handful of warriors do. ‘Kartik uses two swords simultaneously.’
‘Yes,’ smiled Kali. ‘He doesn’t use a shield. He strikes with his left hand also. The boy says that offence is better than defence!’
Ganesh heard Sati’s voice speak out loudly. ‘Stop!’
He turned to see his mother rise from a ledge at the corner.
‘Sorry to disturb you, Pitratulya,’ said Sati to Parvateshwar, the man she respected like a father. ‘But perhaps Kartik may want to meet his dada.’
Parvateshwar looked up at Ganesh. The Meluhan General did not acknowledge Sati’s older son, not even a curt nod. He simply stepped back.
Kartik smiled at seeing Ganesh ambling slowly towards him. Ganesh was shocked at the change in Kartik. His eyes didn’t have the innocent look of a little boy anymore. They had steel in them. Pure, unadulterated steel.
‘You fight very well, brother,’ said Ganesh. ‘I didn’t know.’
Kartik hugged his brother, holding him tight. The embrace hurt Ganesh’s wounds, but he didn’t flinch or pull back.
The boy stepped back. ‘You will never again fight alone, dada. Never.’
Ganesh smiled and embraced his little brother once again, his eyes moist.
The Naga noticed that Sati and Kali were silent. He looked up to see Parvateshwar turning towards the gate. Parvateshwar banged his right fist on his chest and bowed low, executing the Meluhan military salute. Ganesh turned in the direction Parvateshwar was facing.
At the gate stood Shiva. Arms crossed across his chest. Expression blank. His hair windswept and clothes fluttering in the breeze. Staring at Ganesh.
Ganesh, with Kartik still in his embrace, bowed low in respect to the Neelkanth. When he straightened up, Shiva was gone.
‘He may not be such a bad man, Shiva,’ said Veerbhadra, exhaling the marijuana fumes softly.
Shiva looked up with a deadpan expression. Nandi looked at Veerbhadra in alarm.
But Veerbhadra was adamant. ‘We don’t know everything about him, Shiva. I spoke to Parshuram. It was Ganesh who assisted him, the one who helped him fight against the injustices he faced. Apparently, Parshuram had been grievously injured when the Brangas first attacked him. Ganesh found the wounded Brahmin on the banks of the Madhumati and rescued him. On hearing Parshuram’s terrible story, he also swore to support him in any way that he could.’
Shiva simply took the chillum from Veerbhadra and took a deep drag, not saying a word.
‘You know what Krittika said. Ganesh fought like a man possessed to save Kartik, nearly sacrificing his own life in the process. Krittika is a good judge of character. She says that Ganesh has a heart of gold.’
Shiva kept quiet, exhaling smoke.
‘I heard from Queen Kali,’ continued Veerbhadra, ‘that it was Ganesh who arranged for the Naga medicine which saved Kartik’s life during his birth.’
Shiva looked up, surprised. He narrowed his eyes. ‘He is a strange man. I don’t know what to make of him. He has saved my son’s life. Twice, if I am to believe you. He saved my wife’s life in Icchawar. For all this I must love him. But when I look at him, I hear Brahaspati’s desperate cry for help ring in my ears. And then, I want nothing more than to cut off his head.’
Veerbhadra looked down, unhappy.
The Neelkanth shook his head. ‘But I know of a man that I definitely want answers from.’
Veerbhadra looked up at him, suspecting his friend’s train of thought. ‘His Highness?’
‘Yes,’ said Shiva. ‘Kali and Ganesh could not have been abandoned without his consent.’
Nandi piped up for his Emperor. ‘But My Lord, Emperor Daksha had no choice. That is the law. Naga children cannot live in Meluha.’
‘Well, isn’t it also the law that the Naga’s mother has to leave society? That the mother should be told the truth about her child?’ asked Shiva. ‘Laws cannot be applied selectively.’
Nandi kept quiet.
‘I don’t doubt the love the Emperor has for Sati,’ said Shiva. ‘But didn’t he realise how much he was going to end up hurting Sati by banishing her son?’
Veerbhadra nodded.
‘He hid this fact from her all her life. He even hid her twin sister’s existence. I always thought the way he examined Kartik’s body at birth was strange. Now it makes sense. He acted as though he was almost expecting another Naga.’
‘Hmm,’ said Veerbhadra.
‘And I have a dirty feeling that this is not where the story ends.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I suspect that Chandandhwaj did not die naturally.’
‘Her first husband?’
‘Yes. It is just too convenient that he drowned the day Ganesh was born.’
‘My Lord!’ Nandi spoke up in shock. ‘But that cannot be true. That is a crime. No Suryavanshi ruler will ever stoop so low.’
‘I’m not saying that I know for sure, Nandi,’ said Shiva. ‘It is just a feeling that I have. Remember nobody is good or bad. They are either strong or weak. Strong people stick to their morals, no matter what the trials and tribulations. Weak people, many a times, do not even realise how low they have sunk.’
Nandi kept quiet.
Veerbhadra looked straight at Shiva. ‘I will not be surprised if what you suspect is true. It may have been His Highness’ twisted way of thinking that he is doing Sati a favour.’
Chapter 21
The Maika Mystery
It had been nearly three months since Ganesh had saved Kartik’s life. Though still limping, he had recovered enough to know that he had to go back to Panchavati. He had been conscious for a month now. Each waking moment reminded him of the torment in his mother’s heart. The rift between Shiva and Sati was more than he could bear. As far as he knew, the only way out was for him to leave.
‘Let’s leave tomorrow, Mausi,’ said Ganesh.
‘Have you told your mother?’ asked Kali.
‘I intend to leave a note for her.’
Kali narrowed her eyes.
‘She will not let me go, even though she must.’
Kali took a deep breath. ‘So you are just going to forget her?’
Ganesh smiled sadly. ‘I have got enough love from her in the past few months to last me a lifetime. I can live on my memories. But she cannot live without the Neelkanth.’
A puzzled Shiva rose to receive Athithigva. The Kashi king had never stepped into the Branga quarters before. He had always waited for the Neelkanth outside.
‘What is the matter, Your Highness?’
‘My Lord, I just received word that Emperor Daksha is on his way to Kashi.’
Shiva frowned. ‘I don’t understand the urgency. If you have received word today, I’m sure the Emperor will not be here for another two to three months.’
‘No, My Lord. He’s coming today. In a few hours. I just received word from an advance party.’
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Shiva raised his eyebrows, surprised beyond words.
‘My Lord,’ said Athithigva, ‘I wanted to request you to come to the throne room to take your rightful place so that we may receive the Emperor.’
‘I’ll come,’ said Shiva. ‘But please ensure that only you are there. I do not want to receive him along with your courtiers.’
This was unorthodox. Athithigva frowned, but didn’t question Shiva’s unusual demand. He simply left to carry out the orders.
‘Nandi, word may have been sent to Parvateshwar and Bhagirath as well,’ said Shiva. ‘Please tell them it is my wish that they do not come to the court right now. We will have a ceremonial welcome for His Highness a little later.’
‘Yes, My Lord.’ Nandi saluted and left.
Veerbhadra whispered to Shiva. ‘You think he knows?’
‘No. If I know anything about him, he wouldn’t have come had he known that Kali and Ganesh were here. He has come in haste, without regard for protocol. It is the action of a father, not an Emperor. He was probably missing Sati and Kartik.’
‘What do you want to do? Let it go or discover the truth?’
‘No way will I let it go. I want to know the truth.’
Veerbhadra nodded.
‘I hope for the sake of Sati,’ said Shiva, ‘that my suspicions are wrong. That he knew nothing. That the only thing that happened was that Maika’s administrators followed the law.’
‘But you fear you are right?’ asked Veerbhadra.
‘Yes.’
‘Any idea how we can find out what actually happened that day?’
‘Confront him. Catch him by surprise. This is the perfect time.’
Veerbhadra frowned.
‘I intend to spring Kali and Ganesh on him,’ said Shiva. ‘His face will tell me the rest.’
‘What is His Highness doing here?’ asked Parvateshwar. ‘Nobody told me of his plans. How can Kashi do this? This is a breach of protocol.’
‘Nobody knew of this, My Lord,’ said Nandi. ‘Even King Athithigva got to know of it right now. Meluha sent no intimation earlier.’
Parvateshwar looked flabbergasted. Such slips in Meluhan diplomatic procedures were unheard of.
Bhagirath shrugged his shoulders. ‘All kings are alike.’
Parvateshwar ignored the jibe aimed at the ruler of his realm about his lack of etiquette and protocol. He spoke to Nandi. ‘Why does the Lord Neelkanth not want us to come to the throne room?’
‘I couldn’t say, My Lord,’ replied Nandi. ‘I’m just following orders.’
Parvateshwar nodded. ‘All right. We’ll stay here till the Lord calls us.’
‘Shiva can have any number of reasons for wanting to meet Kali. But why Ganesh? What’s going on?’ asked Sati, frowning.
Veerbhadra was stumped. Not only was Ganesh in Kali’s chamber, but so was Sati. Considering that Daksha was already in Kashi, he had to get Kali and Ganesh into the throne room as fast as he could. It was entirely possible that Daksha might find out about the presence of his Naga daughter and grandson. Time was of the essence. If their surprise meeting had to work, it had to happen now. Veerbhadra had no choice but to announce Shiva’s summons to Kali and Ganesh.
‘I’m just following orders, My Lady.’
‘Following orders doesn’t entail your not knowing what’s going on.’
‘He wants them to see something.’
‘Bhadra,’ said Sati. ‘My husband is your best friend. You are married to my best friend. I know you. I know that you know more. I am not letting my son go till you tell me.’
Veerbhadra shook his head at Sati’s doggedness. He could see what drew Shiva to Sati, despite their temporary estrangement. ‘My Lady, your father is here.’
Sati was surprised. Partly at the unannounced appearance of her father, but more so at Shiva summoning Kali and Ganesh to meet Daksha.
Somewhere in his heart, Shiva actually believes that injustice had been done to my sister and son.
‘Do you want to go?’ Sati asked Kali.
The Naga Queen narrowed her eyes, hand tightening on her sword hilt. ‘Yes! Even wild horses couldn’t keep me away.’
Sati turned to her son. He didn’t want a confrontation. He didn’t want the truth to come out. To hurt his mother even more. He shook his head.
Kali spoke up in surprise. ‘Why? What are you afraid of?’
‘I don’t want this, Mausi,’ replied Ganesh.
‘But I do!’ said Sati. ‘Your existence was hidden from me for ninety years.’
‘But those were the rules, Maa,’ said Ganesh.
‘No, the rules are that a Naga child cannot live in Meluha. Hiding the truth from the mother is not part of the rules. Had I known, I would have left Meluha with you.’
‘Even if the rule was broken, it’s in the past. Please Maa, forget it.’
‘I will not. I cannot. I want to know how much he knew. And if he did know, why did he lie? To protect his name? So that no one can accuse him of being the progenitor of Nagas? So that he can continue to rule?’
‘Maa, nothing will come of this,’ said Ganesh.
Kali started laughing. Ganesh turned to her in irritation.
‘When you were scouring all of India to confront Sati, I had told you this very thing,’ said Kali. ‘And what had you said? You wanted answers. That you would not be at peace till you knew the truth about your relationship with your mother. That it would complete you. Then why can’t your mother want or expect the same from her father?’
‘But this is not completion, Mausi,’ said Ganesh. ‘This is only confrontation and pain.’
‘Completion is completion, my child,’ said Kali. ‘Sometimes completion causes happiness and sometimes pain. Your mother has a right to do this.’ Saying so, Kali turned to Sati. ‘Are you sure you want to do this, didi?’
‘I want answers,’ said Sati.
Veerbhadra gulped. ‘My Lady, Shiva only asked for Queen Kali and Lord Ganesh. Not you.’
‘I’m coming, Bhadra,’ said Sati. ‘And you know very well that I must.’
Veerbhadra looked down. Sati was right. She had the right to be there.
‘Maa...’ whispered Ganesh.
‘Ganesh, I am going,’ said Sati firmly. ‘You can either come along or not. That is your choice. But you cannot stop me.’
The Lord of the People took a deep breath, pulled his angvastram on his shoulder and said, ‘Lead us on, brave Veerbhadra.’
‘What a pleasant surprise to see you, Your Highness,’ said Athithigva, bowing to the Emperor of India.
Daksha nodded as he entered the antechamber of the court. ‘It is my empire, Athithigva. I think I can throw in a surprise or two!’
Athithigva smiled. Daksha had his wife Veerini in tow. She in turn was trailed by the famed Arishtanemi warriors, Mayashrenik and Vidyunmali. With Parvateshwar’s absence from Swadweep, Mayashrenik had been appointed provisional General of Meluha’s armed forces.
Daksha was surprised when he entered the main throne room, as the usual courtly nobles and officials were absent. Only Shiva and Nandi were present. Nandi immediately brought his fist up to his chest and bowed low to his Emperor. Daksha smiled at Nandi genially.
Shiva remained seated, joining his hands in a namaste. ‘Welcome to Kashi, Your Highness.’
Daksha’s smile disappeared. He was the Emperor of all of India. He deserved respect. Even if Shiva was the Neelkanth, protocol demanded that he stand up for the Emperor. In the past, Shiva had always done so. This was an insult.
‘How are you, my son-in-law?’ said Daksha, trying to keep his anger in check.
‘I am well, Your Highness. Why don’t you sit next to me?’
Daksha sat. So did Veerini and Athithigva.
Turning to Athithigva, Daksha said, ‘For such a noisy city, you seem to run a very quiet court, Athithigva.’
Athithigva smiled. ‘No My Lord, it’s just that...’
‘My apologies for interrupting, Your Hig
hness,’ said Shiva to Athithigva, before turning to Daksha. ‘I thought it would be a good idea for you to meet your children in private.’
Veerini perked up immediately. ‘Where are they, Lord Neelkanth?’
Just then Veerbhadra walked in. Followed by Sati.
‘My child!’ said a smiling Daksha, forgetting the slight from Shiva. ‘Why didn’t you bring my grandson along?’
‘I have,’ said Sati.
Ganesh entered the room. Behind him was Kali.
Shiva was staring hard at Daksha’s face. The Meluhan Emperor’s eyes sprung wide open in recognition. His jaw dropped in shock.
He knows!
Then Daksha swallowed hard, straightening up.
He’s afraid. He’s hiding something.
Shiva also noticed Veerini’s expression. Profound sadness. Eyebrows joined together, but her lips curled up slightly in a smile struggling to break through. Her eyes moist.
She knows too. And she loves them.
Daksha turned to Athithigva and blustered. ‘How dare you consort with terrorists, King of Kashi?’
‘They aren’t terrorists,’ said Sati. ‘Terrorists kill innocents. Kali and Ganesh have never done that.’
‘Does Sati speak for the King of Kashi now?’
‘Don’t speak to him, father,’ said Sati. ‘Speak to me.’
‘What for?’ asked Daksha, pointing at Ganesh and Kali. ‘What do you have to do with them?’
‘Everything! Their place is with me. Should have always been with me.’
‘What? Vile Nagas have only one place. South of the Narmada! They are not allowed into the Sapt Sindhu!’
‘My sister and son are not vile. They are my blood! Your blood!’
Daksha stood, stepping up to Sati. ‘Sister! Son! What nonsense? Don’t believe the rubbish these scum tell you. Of course, they hate me. They will say anything to malign me. I am their sworn enemy. I am the ruler of Meluha! Under oath to destroy them!’
Kali reached for her sword. ‘I am in the mood to challenge you to an Agnipariksha right now, you repulsive goat!’