"Will this really work?" Nakul asked gesturing towards the chest Abhijishya was carrying.

"I'll just have to sell it right," Abhijishya said. "Now hush, not a word about this to anyone."

Nakul was still skeptical about it but nodded nonetheless. They entered the hall in which the council meeting was supposed to take place. Few people were already present.

Unlike the Royal court of Hastinapur and Panchal, all the seats were situated on the same level. Just one seat was placed in the exact middle of the arc of seats which was clearly for the Head of the council.

Abhijishya spotted Satyaki speaking to an elderly man and tugged Nakul along with her towards them.

"Pranipaat," they greeted.

"Pitashree, this is cousin Abhijishya and her husband Rajkumar Nakul," Satyaki introduced.

"Ah! The girl whom you fought in the arena," he proclaimed. Then he smiled,"Putri, I have heard much about you from Vasudev as well as my son. It is splendid to meet you. I hope your health is fair. I did hear that you had been unconscious for two days," Satyaki's father said.

"And it is an honour to meet you. I am fairing better since yesterday," Abhijishya replied politely.

"And you Nakul, the valour that you and your brothers showed against Panchalraj Drupad and his army is often discussed and praised amongst us. It is so good to see that you have grown into a brilliant man. It has been ages since I have seen your mother. Next time you visit Dwarka, you must bring along all your brothers and mother as well," Satyaka said.

"Mata told us great tales about your skill as a warrior, Mamashree. I shall surely bring along my family the next time we visit Dwarka," Nakul said.

Abhijishya knew he intentionally said family instead of mentioning Draupadi along with his brothers and mother. It seemed like the news of Draupadi's marriage to the Pandavs hadn't reached everyone in Dwarka. She wondered if Gopal hadn't told his clansmen because he wanted them to reach Hastinapur first. She wanted to include Draupadi too along with them but she had to choose her battles. She knew if news reached Maharaj Dhritarastra's ears about the Pandavs marriage to Draupadi, they wouldn't even be allowed inside the Kuru kingdom. The most important thing was for them to be heard out and their settlement in Indraprastha. It was a wise decision but not a welcome one.

Healer Adhrit arrived and came towards them. Greetings were exchanged.

"Just so you know, I am in support of your request. If surgery was progressive when Yuyudhana's mother was alive then perhaps..." Satyaka trailed off with a lost look in his eyes. The next moment he plastered a smile on his face. "I must go take my seat, Chief Ugrasen is here," he said.

Abhijishya and Nakul went to him. They touched his feet together and said," Pranipaat Matamaah."

"Kalyan ho, putra. Akhand Saubhagyabati Bhava putri. Krishna spoke to me earlier regarding your inclusion in our family and I can't say I am disappointed. The word of your good judgement in Hastinapur has reached Dwarka. I look forward to what you and Rajkumar Nakul present before the council in the meeting. Now I must take my seat. We shall converse more later," Ugrasen said. Abhijishya smiled politely and inclined her head in respect.

Both of them joined Satyaki and healer Adhrit who stood behind Satyaka. Bhratashree Balram and Bhratashree Krishna chose that moment to enter.

"Pranipaat Matamaah, pardon us for our delay," Balram said with joined hands. He looked pointedly at Krishna,"Someone lost his way to the hall and ended up near the makhan storage rooms once again."

Krishna tried to look apologetic but his delighted eyes suggested otherwise. Urgasen chuckled while shaking his head at his grandson's antics. "I just arrived too. Now, take your seats. The meeting must commence now."

The slight whispering stopped immediately.

A man stood up and said loudly,"Today's first agenda. The Andhaka clan have requested for an increment in the number of strong daasas for the smithery."

"And how many would be enough for that?" Ugrasen asked.

"Five hundred, Chief," the man said.

"Why so many? It was informed that the warriors of the Narayani Sena are already well decked in weapons. Our storages are also full," Ugrasen said.

Another man replied," Chief, the storage in the north is almost empty. We need more arrowheads and swords. Our warriors tend to break or bend them."

Ugrasen nodded and agreed. Thus continued a quite long session. Abhijishya noted the way of speaking was quite different to how one addressed their Kings. The tone was reverend towards Ugrasen but everyone else spoke like equals.

She had learnt Dwarka was the captial of Anarta Kingdom and from the administration it was clear that it was a confederation of the collective states of the Kukuras, the Andhakas, the Vrishnis and the Bhojas, the republics of Antar Dwipa and other neighbouring islands along with the mainland area neighbouring the Anarta Kingdom. There were Chiefs of the respective clans who formed a council. One such Chief was chosen as the Head of the council and took major administrative decisions. But his word wasn't the last word. If the majority of the council voted against it, the decision was nullified and rethought. Abhijishya liked this much better than the monarchy of rest of Aryavart.

"Yuyudhana, Healer Adhrit, Rajkumari Abhijishya and Rajkumar Nakul want to request the council that studying of human corpse be permitted in Anarta. Yuyudhana also has expressed his wish to take disciples and teach Shalya Vidya (surgery) along with medicine," the announcer said.

A man immediately stood up and voiced his protests. "It would be sacrilege to disrespect the dead in such a manner. To have one's body rotting and torn apart after death without a proper last rites ceremony is unthinkable."

Satyaki stood up. He glanced at Ugrasen once who gave him permission to speak. "Respected Bhoja Chief, I would like to clear some of your misconceptions about we have proposed. Firstly, we do not intend to study the corpse for a long duration. We shall do it within a day from his death. After our study, we shall respectfully sew back everything intact and give back the body to the family to perform last rites. In case the family does not want to take responsibility or if the departed person has no family, I and my disciples shall take the responsibility."

"Does that put a rest to your concerns, Chief Kamarbhoj?" Ugrasen asked.

Kamarbhoj was displeased but sat back down. This time a young man stood up.

"And how do you expect to progess Shalya Vidya? People only use Shalya as the last means. Only a few have recovered successfully after Shalya. Why should we give our dead to be cut open when the path of Shalya is neither sought out much nor certain for survival?" he asked.

Satyaki said," I have studied the corpse of dog with stones in its stomach once. My mother died of stomach pain and I suspected that similar stones had developed inside her too-"

"You cannot expect us to believe such ridiculous lies. Stones! In stomach! If it was really so then it must be the result of an unknown curse," said another man.

Satyaki was close to losing his temper. So Abhijishya stood up. She looked at Ugrasen who inclined his head. "If the council is willing to lend a ear, then I would like to speak in favour of cousin Satyaki." Whispers broke out.

"Silence," said Ugrasen sternly.

"It is indeed possible for stones to develop in the stomach of humans. You all must be aware I hail from a far off land. There surgery was quite advanced. I am no proper surgeon but I have done my fair share of reading on actual cases. Apart from blood, our bodies have many juices that help in digestion among many things. The stones ,cousin Satyaki spoke of, is sometimes caused due to the solidification of one such juice because of excessive consumption of oily, greasy food like fried food, even butter and cream. We are not asking you all to believe us blindly but we are hoping that you put faith in us so we can save more lives. The souls depart and leave behind a lifeless body. If studying the body can save another person from dying, it shall be recognised as the last noble deed of the departed soul; that they even in death have contributed for the welfare of the living they leave behind," Abhijishya said. Everyone listened with attention. The aftermath was a few murmurs among the council members. She glanced at Gopal and Bhrata Balram who smiled reassuringly.

"We cannot find fault in what Rajkumari Abhijishya has said. But we wish for regular updates regarding Shalya Vidya practice in every meeting with a gap of two weeks," the young man said.

Satyaki agreed. Nakul got up and spoke," I wish to learn this skill along with Kumar Yuyudhana and my wife if no one of this respected council have any objections."

"It is a fine decision Rajkumar Nakul. You are welcome to study and practice Shalya as long as it remains personal and not aligned with the administration of Hastinapur. I must clearly state that this offer is only extended to you. If Maharaj Dhritarastra wishes to send people to learn this skill to Dwarka, we shall negotiate on terms of agreement of such a venture," Ugrasen said. Everyone else agreed.

"Now the last agenda of this meeting. Rajkumari Abhijishya wishes to present a gift to the Royal Treasurer and his associates working in the Treasury," the announcer said.

Abhijishya stepped forward carrying the chest in her arms. Everyone looked at her curiously.

"A few days ago, I met a dasi, a girl of fifteen. I heard her tale of how her father's gambling habits had left her mother and she in a great debt. I, of course, was curious that how much a simple Shilpakar like her father could borrow. She spoke of the efficient Royal Treasurer Satrajit. I learned how he and his associates tirelessly manage the gold of Dwarka that Dwarka has become one of the most prosperous cities if not the most prosperous one. I found myself pleased that the Treasury was in such capable hands and thought I could finally put down the burden of carrying these divine artefacts," Abhijishya said with a soft smile. She took a moment to remember her parents and sister. Her eyes automatically welled up and her voice broke slightly.

"This chest was given to me by my family," she let the listeners assume which. "My father worked for our state back home. He too managed the currency of the state. After I came to Aryavart, I chose to carry this chest with me and still carry it. I cannot utilise them and it is my duty to give these to the deserving." She opened the chest.

"Inside this chest lie precious sticks. I wish that Royal Treasurer Satrajit and his associates take one each as a reward for their honesty,"she said with a smile.

An elderly man with salt pepper hair and fat moustache stood up. He looked at her sceptically and said,"It is our duty, Rajkumari. We have done nothing special to deserve your gracious gift."

"It is not just a gift. I have my own motivation behind this I must admit," she said softly and pulled over a nostalgic mask on her face. "In rememberance of my parents, especially my father I am giving you these. These sticks are not ordinary despite their appearance. In near past, I have been thinking a lot about these and decided it was time for these artefacts to fall into hands of the deserving. Imagine my surprise when I found the chest containing the exact number of sticks as you, reverend Satrajit and your associates. I took it as a sign for myself to finally place them in your hands. They are a true reward for the honest. Please come and let me be free of my obligation," she bowed her head respectfully.

Satrajit looked convinced. He and thirty five other men took one stick each from the chest.

"I must caution you all to be careful. These are enchanted sticks; divine in their own right. If you have been dishonest in your duty while in the Royal Treasury, your stick will grow an inch overnight. Tomorrow after sunrise, all of you must come to this hall with your respective sticks so that I can chant a mantra. Only the sticks remaining to their previous length shall be your salvation in a time of need while the longer ones shall shorten your life span. Now that you have touched your sticks, replacing yours with another's shall result in a grave curse to befall you and your sons," Abhijishya said seriously. Then she smiled," But of course none of you have any of that to worry about."

Satrajit was examining his stick closely and held it reverently. Abhijishya noted the few pale faces too.

"An excellent gift, is it not? What could be better than salvation to be given to men who already have all the gold and jewels!" Ugrasen proclaimed. There were murmurs of agreement.

"Then this council session ends here. Tomorrow anyone willing to witness the enchanted artefacts can come. I propose we all should be present," he said.

A round of agreements were voiced once again.

Steadily, people started leaving. Satyaki and healer Adhrit left along with Satayaka after thanking Abhijishya. Mamashree Satyaka also praised her and said she was a gifted speaker.

Bhrata Balram and Bhrata Gopal came towards her.

"It is such a big decision to give away such an important possession but I am happy that you have chosen deserving men to grant it," Balram said with a pleased smile.

"It was a gift made to seek out the deserving. Was it not, dear sister?" Gopal said with a knowing smile.

"Nothing stays hidden from you, Bhrata," Abhijishya chuckled.

Balram looked at them puzzled. "Seek out the deserving?"

"Yes, Balram. Putri Abhijishya did say that the honest ones shall be given salvation," Matamaah Ugrasen said walking towards them.

Balram nodded in understanding. Abhijishya had a inkling that Matamaah surely suspected something. But the elderly man only smiled with a knowing glint in his eyes and left.

"Good going on the speech on surgery too," Balram said.

"Yes, you spoke splendidly," Gopal said while smiling.

Abhijishya blushed slightly at the praise. These words were very precious to her. "I guess it turned out well," she shrugged. "Thank you," she said with a genuine smile.

"Come now. It is almost time for lunch," Balram said. They followed him out of the hall.

Nakul grabbed Abhijishya's hand and pulled her back a little. He was struck stunned at Abhijishya's acting skills, weaving of truth and painting an entirely different picture out of it. It was surprising. He couldn't have caught her act if he wasn't already aware of the plan.

"You'll make a fine diplomat one day," he said.

Abhijishya looked at him in confusion.

"Once Jyesth becomes Maharaj I'll ask him to appoint you as a minister in court. You were magnificent," he said with a dazed look in his eyes. He never thought there would be a side like this to his Abhijishya.

Abhijishya chuckled. "Come on, have you bid your senses farewell? I just scammed thirty six men."

"You were very attractive," Nakul said licking his lips slightly.

"And you, my dear husband, are very strange," Abhijishya said. "You are saying you find me attractive for my diplomatic and scamming abilities," she looked at him with a mischievous smile. "You do realise that Gandharraj Shakuni is also a well renowned diplomat and scamming expert, right?"

Abhijishya never thought Nakul's face could twist into such a disgusted expression.

"Why? Why did you have to say that? You just ruined everything," Nakul complained and clamped his ears tightly.

Balram and Krishna turned around to see Abhijishya laughing hard leaning against the wall and Nakul standing with his ears clamped by his palms and eyes closed muttering,"I didn't hear that. I didn't hear that."

Balram looked at Krishna for an explaination who only shook his head and chuckled.

A.N. - Hi! First of all, I would like to say thank you to all my fresh readers who started reading my book just a few days ago. Thanks a lot for voting and commenting. To my old readers, you guys have always been my support system and motivation to keep writing. It is because of you people this story has crossed 16K views and 2K votes. I am on cloud nine 🤩🤩🤩🤩💕💕💕

If you like this story, then please vote and comment. Suggest this to your friends and let our family grow.

Next, I apologise for the late update. I promised to update yesterday but I had an exam { LPU NEST for biotechnology if you are wondering which exam} in the afternoon. It went okay I guess. I was a bag of nerves in the morning. After exam it took me a long time to have the right mindset for writing.

For this chapter I wanted to give you all a look into Dwarka administration structure and inner workings. As much as I love writing about family bonding and Nakul x Abhijishya moments, this story is not a romantic one. So I'll steadily mould Abhijishya into what I envision her to be.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")