Duryodhan paced around the Mantrana Kaksha. 

-"We need to prepare for the upcoming war. Mitra Karna, Ashwa, I hope you two will help me?" 

-"Of course, Mitra, Your Mitra Karna will be always present beside you when you need me." Karna said boldly.

Ashwatthama looked down, "I want to help you Mitra, but Pitashree forbids me to take place in this particular war."

-"So your Pita Shree's words are more important than your friend Guru Putra?" Shakuni sneered. 

-"Enough Mama Shree," Duryodhan glared at his uncle and put a hand on Ashwatthama's shoulder, "I understand Mitra, and I don't want to make you disobey your father."

-"Bhratashree, we need to make a plan for the war." Dushasan said, placing a few figurines of soldiers on the map of Panchal.

Duryodhan nodded looking at the formation his brother was making.

-"I think you should go first in the battle. Don't let the Pandu Putra enter at all. Go in finish the Panchal sena, capture Drupad, and come back to become the next Yuvraj."

-"Defeating and capturing Drupad will not be that easy, Gandharraj. He is a master at forming viyus."

-"I am confident my child can break Drupad's Viyu. No need to worry, Guru Putra. Can't you my dear nephew?" Shakuni gave Duryodhan a smile baring his rooting yellowish teeth. 

Duryodhan smirked proudly, "I will have Mitra Karna beside me, I don't need to fear anyone."

Duryodhan patted Karna's shoulder. Karna smiled, "Thank you for putting so much trust in me Mitra."

Ashwatthama nodded smiling.

At this moment guard entered the room.

-"How dare you enter the mantrana kaksha without permission?" Shakuni shouted.

-"I am sorry Gandhar Raj..." the guard trailed off. Duryodhan eyed his mama to stop. Shakuni stopped, gritting his teeth. Nothing has been going according to him, since morning. This is the only time he has something in his favour and the lowly guard dared to interrupt that.

-"Who sent you?" Duryodhan asked curiously. 

The guard bowed, "Pranam Rajkumar, Kumari Tiasha is asking for permission to enter."

Shakuni frowned, why does the fallen princess want to enter the mantrana kaksha in the middle of a strategy discussion.

Duryodhan's face lit up at the mention of his Sakhi's name, "Why are you keeping her waiting outside, She is allowed to enter anywhere when I am present." He rebuked the guard for keeping his dear Sakhi waiting outside, 

-"Let her enter and never keep her waiting for permission."

Ashwatthama was curious, she was such an enigma. Then he remembered the night before Karna's coronation. He looked at Karna who was looking expectedly towards the entrance.

Karna was in a state of trance torn between curiosity, surprise and joy. He kept looking at the entrance.

The sweet smell of Parijat filled the room as Tiasha entered. She politely greeted everyone ignoring Shakuni's glare.

-"What brings you here, in the Mantrana kaksha, Rajkumari?" Shakuni asked.

-"I am just here to see how you are planning to approach the upcoming battle and help you if I can." 

Shakuni and Dushasan doubled over with laughter. Ashwatthama and Karna frowned, not at what Tiasha said but at Shakuni and Dushasan. Earlier Duryodhan mentioned to them how good she is with her daggers. He also said that she defeated him and in return asked for his friendship. And they believed him. Because Duryodhan is not someone who will freely talk about his defeat even to his best friends. And he simply adores the girl.

Duryodhan scolded Dushasan, "Why are you laughing, Idiot?" He was irritated that someone was laughing at his dear Sakhi, be it his brother or his Mama Shree.

-"Ohh Putra, don't scold your brother, I think he is just amused at Rajkumari's words." he continued with a teasing smile.

-"I must admit she is very funny, she can be a great comedian."

-"What is so funny Gandharraj?", Karna asked anger starting to take over his senses. Nobody talks to her like that. Tiasha looked at Karna flattered, he was defending her. 

-"That is one of the best jobs in the world Gandharraj, although I doubt I have the supreme talent of cracking jokes and making people laugh. But I am glad you found a hidden talent of mine." Tiasha smiled. Her face was calm, and a glint of amusement was present in her eyes. 

Shakuni's smile vanished, and Dushasan too became rigid beside his mama. Now it was time for Ashwatthama and Karna to smile. Duryodhan was shocked. This was the first time he had seen his mama being defeated in his own game. The great game of words.

Tiasha turned to Duryodhan, "So, you have a plan for tomorrow?" 

Duryodhan nodded. 

Shakuni again commented with a sneer, "Kumari this is war strategy we are talking about, not a recipe to cook a meal."

-"I know that very well Gandhar Raj, but in my opinion there is not much difference between the two. A good meal can only be prepared with well-described and well-researched recipes, the same goes with war research and planning is the key to staying one step ahead of your opponent."

Ashwatthama was in awe. Karna was admiring her. One more quality to admire her was added to their already long list.

Duryodhan was proud. This girl is such a rare gem and she also happens to be his sakhi. 

Duryodhan said, "Mama Shree advised we go first and tell the Pandavas to wait, we will be able to capture Drupad and defeat Panchal that way. He said it will prove that I am more capable to become Yuvraj."

Shakuni couldn't believe his nephew's stupidity. He is reviling all their plans for this girl. What if she goes and reveal it to those Pandu Putras.

-"Do you trust me Sakha?" Tiasha asked him seriously.

Duryodhan frowned, "What are you saying sakhi?"

-"Just answer my question, do you trust me?"

-"Yes I do."

-"Then let the Pandavas go first and you enter after them."

Duryodhan looked at her in disbelief.

Shakuni saw this as a chance to change his nephew's mind and turn him against Tiasha.

-"Ohh so this is what you call well-wishing for a friend. Look at your so-called Sakhi Putra look. She is openly trying to drive you away from the throne."

-"Why would you say that sakhi?" Duryodhan knows his sakhi doesn't speak without any reason.

Ignoring Shakuni she said, "There are two aspects of this war for Dronacharya. One is of course his revenge second is to prove that Arjun is the best Archer around."

Karna asked, "We don't understand Kumari, what do you mean by that? It's only Guru Drona's revenge."

-"No Angaraj it's not just about his revenge. Guru Drona was unsuccessful in proving Arjun's might in kridangan because of you. He wants to show that he was right."

-"You are making false allegations against my father Kumari, you are insulting him." Ashwatthama said upset about her trying to defame his father.

-"I am not insulting your father guru Putra. I am just saying a fact, and who is more aware of that than you?"

-"Sakhi please explain, i don't get it."

-"King Drupad is well known for his knowledge of the formation of viyus. And only a skilled Archer can break this formation.

And I think you all have failed to notice when he was talking about bringing Drupad to his feet he was only and only looking at Arjun although he said he wants Gurudhakshina from all his students."

-"And what does that prove Rajkumari." Shakuni looked at her curious.

-"He only wants Arjun to bring Drupad to his feet. He doesn't care about the others."

-"It doesn't make any sense sakhi."

-"Kumar Arjun is the only Archer amongst you Sakha, and only a skilled Archer can break the formation of viyu. You wouldn't be able to break in, and even if you break in you won't be able to find a way out. He will capture you all. If Arjun goes in first you can easily enter and come out of it. That's why I am saying, go together let them break the formation and then you can do your thing."

Karna was a little hurt does she not have trust in his skills?

-"You say we need a skilled Archer, Mitra Karna is a skilled Archer sakhi. You have seen him in the arena. He is exceptional. Why would we need Arjun, if Mitra Karna is there? What are you saying?"

Tiasha turned to Ashwatthama, "Your father prevents you from going to this war doesn't he?"

Ashwatthama nods, not understanding her intentions.

-"I am well aware of Angaraj's capabilities. But I highly doubt your Gurudev will let him join the battle. I am almost sure he will come up with some bizarre excuse to stop him from going with you Sakha.

Guru Drona doesn't like competition when it comes to Kumar Arjun.

Kumar Arjun is the only Archer amongst you, he didn't bother to teach archery to you lot. Not even the basics to some of you. Even Guru Putra doesn't possess all the knowledge that Kumar Arjun does.

Perhaps you remember an incident, including a certain Nishad boy, who came to seek knowledge from guru Drona."

Ashwatthama and Duryodhan very well understood who she was talking about.

Shakuni curiously asked, "How do you know all this, Princess? I thought you were from Banga Pradesh."

Tiasha's heart jumped but she didn't let it show on her face. She confidently said, "You are forgetting that I started living in Mathura when I was seventeen, and Vasudev Krishna happens to be one of my dearest Sakhas. Besides it's just simple observations that I made."

She looked at Duryodhan pleading with her eyes, "You are my Sakha, I always want what is best for you. Please just once, put your trust in me, I promise I won't disappoint you. If guru Drona lets Angaraj accompany you, you go first, if not then..."

Duryodhan smiled, "I trust you sakhi, I will follow your advice."

-"Can you promise me something Sakha?"

-"What is it sakhi?"

-"Please make sure no innocent life suffers in this game of revenge."

-XX-

Well, that was an intense chapter. For me, it is one of the finest chapters I have written till now.

I hope you like it as much as I do, readers. Don't forget to comment and let me know your opinions.

Take care, Adiós, my lovely readers ❤️.