Within two months the lost glory of Anga was not only restored but also doubled. Many of the Prajas who left Anga were returning. A lot of new people were also coming into the newly formed Kingdom as new opportunities were flying around. Karna announced there would be no discrimination of caste between the people. Everyone will have the same rights and opportunities. Anga became the hub of new opportunities for people. The villages filled with their old occupants as well as the new ones. The streets and markets buzzed with happiness and excitement. Anga became an attraction for merchants. Children could be seen playing around chasing each other. The once-barren lands were being irrigated and corps were being sown by the farmers.

Hastinapur has promised to excuse the taxes till the time the crop was cultivated.

Bhupendra was given the responsibility of Pradhan Mantri of Anga and Indrasena was recruited as the Senapati by Karna.

Tiasha with the help of Bhupendra has interviewed many candidates who were willing to do administrative jobs. The new Mantri Sabha of Anga was a unique blend of new young people as well as experienced minds. Karna and Indrasena hand-picked the soldiers and generals of the army of the Anga.

Jarasandh's workers have done wonders in the palace of Anga. The Palace was restored within three weeks. 

The once sceptical and untrusting Praja of Anga were now ready to sacrifice their lives for their king. 

In between all this Yudhishthira became the Yuvraj of Hastinapur. Karna once asked Tiasha before Yudhishthira's coronation, "Don't you feel bad, that you won't be able to attend the coronation?"

To which Tiasha shrugged and replied, "The work here is more important, besides it nothing I haven't seen before, I did your crowning and then attended Drauni's coronation as well."

In the two months, they have gotten even more close to each other. They have spent countless hours together, working, practising weapons, sometimes talking about the politics and kingdom, sometimes their visions on the world, sometimes playful teasing and sometimes just sitting down with each other in comfortable silence. Each time they found themselves falling for each other more and more. But they didn't know if this was right. Unaware that the love was mutule they tried to deny it. They tried to escape. but just like quicksand the more they tried to escape the more they got pulled in. 

Karna and Tiasha walked down the market, Bhupendra and Indrasena on their sides when they saw the same woman who spat on Karna's face on the first day of his arrival. They came in front of her. Karna smiled at her and said, "Mata, I have kept my promise. Do you still hate me?"

She cried and was about to fall on Karna's feet but before she could Karna prevented her.

-"Forgive me, Maharaj, I have committed a sin. I didn't recognise you Maharaj, you are our God. I disrespected you, I disrespected the Gods."

Karna held her hands and said, "I am your son, Mata, I am no God. And how can any Mata commit a sin?" 

Tiasha came forward and said, "Mata, I have something to ask you."

The woman looked at her curiously as she continued, "Mata, I can not live here forever, I have to go back to Hastinapur, and your son here will not be able to take care of himself, as he has a tendency to get so absorbed in his work that he forgets to eat. His mother is not here as well, so will you do us the honour and take care of him while I or his mother are not here."

The woman smiled, "Why do you have to leave for Hastinapur? Why can't you stay with your Husband forever Putri?"

Tiasha and Karna both turned red at her question. Tiasha bit her lips and answered slowly, "I am not his wife Mata. I am just a friend". Her words sent a sharp pin through Karna's heart, 'Just a friend'. 

The woman's eyes widened, "I am so sorry Putri, I didn't know." 

-"No no Mata, it's ok." 

The woman smiled, "My name is Renuka, and it's my honour to be able to take care of Maharaj."

Tiasha smiled at her, "I am so relieved Mata, now I can go back to Hastinapur and reassure Radha Maa that her son is in safe hands."

--

Tiasha and Karna were discussing some matters about the increasing trade and trade policies when Bhupendra asked for permission to come in.

-"I am sorry to disturb you Maharaj, but I have heard a few people talking about this in the market so I wanted to discuss it with you and Kumari Tiasha."

-"You didn't disturb us, Bhupendra. Tell us what you heard, is there any problem?" Tiasha asked.

-"No Kumari, nothing major. It's just that, the temple we had was destroyed by the Asuras a few years back, so..."

-"Who the the people worship here in Anga, Mahamantri? We know Hastinapur worships both Narayan and Mahadev."

-"Our previous king used to worship Narayan. The King's or the Queen's Ishta Devta usually is a kingdom's Ksetradevta. Now in between all this, we didn't have time to think about that, so, we don't have a Ksetradevta in Anga yet, after Maharaj's rule started."

-"Well, your Maharaj worships Surya Narayan..." Tiasha started.

A dasi entered the chamber, interrupting Tiasha and bowed to the three of them.

-"Senapati Mahoday wants to talk to you, he said a Tantric Sadhu wants to meet Maharaj and Kumari."

Tiasha and Karna looked at each other. Tiasha said, "We are coming, did you invite Sadhu Baba inside?"

-"He said he would only come inside after meeting you both."

Tiasha and Karna along with Bhupendra rushed towards the entrance to meet the Sadhu.

At the entrance, Indrasena stood with a few of the soldiers. A Sadhu wearing a red dhoti and many rudraksha malas around his neck stood in front of them. His skin was whitish and pale, his face covered in beard and a Jata bound with a rudraksha mala on the top of his head, some long reddish brown dreadlocks falling on his back. It's impossible to predict his age. He physically looked as young as Tiasha, but the wisdom in his eyes said otherwise. He carried a trident, a Damru tied with it by another rudraksha mala and a Kamandalu. His forehead is covered with ashes. Tripundra tilak and a red dot blazing brightly in the middle of the three lines indicated his Marg of Sadhana. 

In Kaliyuga Tiasha has seen many fake Sadhus so she never had much respect for them. But here in Dwapara Yuga, the story is different, and there is something special about this Sadhu. He seems different, just one look at him, makes you bow in front of him as if you are ready to sacrifice your entire being in front of him. He is divine.

Tiasha, Karna and Bhupendra folded their hands. Karna and the others stood stunned looking at the divine sage but Tiasha went forward and touched his feet, Sadhu's dreamy tawny eyes twinkled with adoration. 

Sadhu blessed Tiasha putting his hand on her head. Tiasha felt all her worries melting down slowly at the touch. Sadhu Baba stood Tiasha up and looked at her face all over, drinking in her features. A smile played on his lips. A smile that can cool down even a raging volcano.

-"Baba please do us the honour to serve you, please come inside." Karna said as he touched Sadhu's feet. 

-"Jayastu Angaraj, I am Adinatha, I am Smashanabasi, Sarvatyagi Sadhu, I can't accept the hospitality of a Grihi, I am here just to meet Devi Tiasha." 

Karna looked at Tiasha. She kept her hands folded, "Baba, kindly tell us, what can we do for you?"

-"I see Anga doesn't have a Ksetradevta yet."

Tiasha and Karna looked at each other and then at Bhupendra who was already looking at them.

-"We were just discussing that with Mahamantri. How do you know Baba?" Karna asked. He looked at the sadhu with pure devotion and astonishment in his eyes. 

Sadhu Adinatha smiled at them mysteriously. 

-"Me and my anuchars, want to stay at the Smashana for a few days, if only Maharaj agrees..."

-"It's our great fortune and honour Baba that you decided to reside in Anga, you can stay at the palace itself with your anuchars..."

-"I have already told you, Maharaj, we are Sarvatyagi Tantrics. And another thing Maharaj, you don't have to send any of your men to prepare anything for us, we will take care of everything ourselves."

-"As you wish Baba." Karna bowed his head. 

-"I have one request to Devi here." Sadhu Adinatha turned to wards Tiasha. Tiasha bowed her head.

-"Can I have a small bhiksha of some rice and fruits for my anuchars devi?" 

-"Of course, Baba." Tiasha was about to go inside but Sadhu Adinatha stopped her.

-"Not now devi, in the evening, after we settle down, you and Maharaj come along with Mahamantri and Senapati, I will accept the bhiksha then."

-"Baba, you seem to be an antarjami, can you please help us with the inauguration of the Ksetradevta of Anga? We are quite lost about what to do..."

-"In the evening I will tell you everything, Devi." 

Sadhu Adinatha left through the palace gate leaving behind an awed and astonished Karna and Tiasha.

-XX-

People, any guesses who this mysterious Sadhu Adinatha is?

Onto the next one...