The battle between the Princes of the Kuru family and Panchal Raj Drupad lasted for five days.

Duryodhan followed Tiasha's advice and all the one hundred and five princes went together.

The Pandavas were a little surprised when Duryodhan said that he wanted all of them to go together. They initially thought that he would want to go first and they would follow after them but when Duryodhan suggested that Arjun should go first they were stuck by lightning.

-"I think Arjun should be in the front, given he is an archer."

-"Looks like Devi Saraswathi has suddenly become a little kind to you, Duryodhan." Bheem snickered. Duryodhan ignored him and tried to stay calm as his sakhi suggested.

Arjun frowned as to why Duryodhan was suddenly being so kind to them.

Yudhishthira patted Duryodhana's back, "Thank you, brother, it is best if we stick together. This will help us win."

Duryodhan gave him a fake smile as he internally cringed.

In the battle, Duryodhan defeated the commander of Panchal Sena and Arjun managed to capture Drupad.

They reached the Panchal palace, with Drupad bound in shackles. Drona was standing just beside the throne of Panchal with Ashwatthama.

A wide grin spread on Drona's face as Arjun and Duryodhan both pushed Drupad down to his feet.

He patted their back proudly, "I knew you would never fail me, my students."

-"Especially you Arjun, my Putra." he pulled Arjun into his embrace.

Duryodhan turned his face. Ashwatthama noticed his friend's expression and came to stand beside him. he put a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Congratulations on defeating the commander of Panchal, Mitra."

-"Well, that is not good enough to receive  praise from Gurudev. It is not as big as his favourite Arjun's achievement, is it?", Duryodhana's lips turned up in a sad smile. Ashwatthama sighed and patted his back.

Drona looked down at Drupad.

-"We meet again dear Sakha, and as I promised you are brought to my feet by my students."

Drupad was looking down this whole time. His entire army was defeated by a group of literal children and they captured him to present in front of their Guru. His head felt heavy in shame. The same friend who he insulted years ago was standing proudly in front of him, bragging about his students' skill and valour.

But Drona's words made his blood boil in anger. In the same arrogant voice that he used years ago he replied, "I am still a king and you are a poor Brahmin, you have the audacity to call me Sakha! I can rip your tongue for that."

Ashwatthama and the kuru princes roared towards Drupad. Drona raised his hands to stop them.

Drona's eyes blazed with fire, " Not for long. Look around you Drupad, this is not your kingdom anymore, you are no more than a prisoner of war."

Drupad looked down, he knew his current position but he just couldn't accept the fact that he was kneeling in front of Drona.

-"You once forgot the bond of friendship we shared with each other back in our time in Gurukul. You forgot you got your knowledge from me. When I came to you for help you not just insulted me you insulted my vidya. But I am not an ungrateful proud king like you are. I am a Brahmin, I keep my word. so as per the promise I will share half of everything I have. I am giving you half of Panchal the southern Panchal as daana."

At that moment Drupad wanted the ground to swallow him. Maybe death would have been more honourable than this.

Drupad looked up at Dona with a twisted smile, "I accept your daana oh great Drona, but remember that one day I will avenge the insult you did today."

Drona accepted the challenge. He too smiled narrowing his eyes a little, "I will wait for that day Sakha, but before that, you need to do the crowning of my Putra Ashwatthama as the new king of northern Panchal."

Drupad's face morphed into that of despise and disgust but he had no other way out except agreeing.

Drona freed Drupad from the shackles and pulled him into a hug which Drupad didn't return.

Drupad ordered a das, "Start the preparation for the coronation of the new king of northern Panchal."

the kuru princes were preparing to leave, and Ashwatthama stopped Duryodhan. He went to his father and asked, "Father I want Mitra Duryodhan, Mitra Karna and Kumari Tiasha to be at my coronation."

-"Why just them Putra, I want all the Kuru princes to be at your coronation." Dona smiled. Drona noticed that his son emphasised Tiasha's name. From what he had heard, she was an exceptional young woman indeed...

The Kuru princes agreed to attend Ashwatthama's coronation which was set for next week. But they wanted to return to Hastinapur instead of staying back at Panchal. They just wanted to share the news of their first victory with their family.

Drona permitted them to go back. Duryodhan immediately started for Hastinapur as he wanted to share the good news with his mamashree, his Sakhi and Mitra Karna as soon as possible.

He was eager to see his Sakhi again. he wanted to thank her. Everything she told him was right. Her advice worked like magic. Though he was not the one to capture Drupad, he sure would have lost and been a prisoner to Drupad himself, if it was not for Sakhi Tiasha's help.

The Pandavas on the other hand wanted to explore a little bit on their way. They told Duryodhan and his brothers to go ahead and they will follow them.

-"Bharata have you noticed the sudden change in Bharata Duryodhan?" Nakul asked his brothers.

-"Yes like after he became friends with that suta Putra and then Bhabishree he is a lot calmer and as you said Bharata Bheem, looks like Mata Saraswathi has suddenly decided to become kind to him." Sahadev added.

Bheem sniggered, "I think he is losing his fire, maybe he has finally understood that he is no match to us and preparing to become a charioteer himself."

Arjun saw Yudhishthira lost in his thoughts. He signaled his brothers and they all stopped their discussion to look at Yudhishthira.

Bheem frowned, "Jyesht, where are you lost?"

Nakul winked at Sahadev as a mischievous smile appeared on their lips, "I think Jyesht is lost in Bhabishree's thoughts. She will be joining us on our journey to Panchal next week."

-"Panchal Desh is very beautiful, perfect for honeymoon. I am sure Jyesht is planning his honeymoon with Bhabishree here, Guru Putra will arrange a good place for you. He will help you, don't worry Jyesht."

Yudhishthira snapped from his trance. He was indeed thinking about her. A hint of blush appeared on his face, although he tried to mask it with a straight face and frown towards the Madri twins.

Arjun and Bheem amused by the teasing also decide to join in.

-"Shut up you two, Jyesht is thinking about their marriage, and their wedding night first.", Arjun fake scolded Nakul and Sahadev.

Yudhishthira groaned, "Not you too Arjun!"

Bheem laughed and started, "Jyesht I think you should bring a gift for Bhabishree, you need to impress her."

Yudhishthira sighed, "You are impossible!" he started walking ahead of them.

Bheem's idea of bringing her a gift was not so bad after all, Yudhishthira thought.

-XX-

Hello guys! Another update! I am sorry, I didn't do a detailed description of the war. I was not sure how to do it. and then again I thought that we would have enough description of the war later in many places. things are starting to spice up between Tiasha and the three people who have a crush on her.

I think you might already have a guess who I want her to pair with, but I do need your opinion on this.

Thank you so much for reading my story people. Don't forget to comment and share your opinion on the chapter. As you all know by now I await your comments.

Take care, Adiós, my lovely readers ❤️.