The royal family of Panchal stood at the entrance to welcome Maharaj Drishadvat and his family. Shikhandini stood behind as Maharaj Drupad welcomed his friend.

Yes. Surprisingly Maharaj Drishadvat had once befriended Maharaj Drupad. That was long before p became the King of Panchal and turned into a spiteful arrogant man. He was the boy who saved the life of a stranger and befriended him, unknown to the fact that his new friend was the Yuvraj of Dravida. Over the years, the distance grew and both the boys turned into powerful Kings. Maharaj Drishadvat being aware of how Drupad had turned to be, maintained a friendly distance, enough not to insult him, but also enough as not to get into each other's business. That's why none of his sons were present at the Yagyaseni's swayambar. The only thing received from Dravida were a generous amount of gifts, an apology letter and their best wishes.

Maharaj Drishadvat had no intention of making an alliance with Panchal. His sons weren't purebred stallions to get planned mattings for benefits. He had seen many a weak Kings to marry several times in the vain attempt of getting power and wealth. But he believed in prowess and competence. No number of marriages was going to help if one did not have those to successfully rule or conquer Kingdoms. Therefore, he had made sure to raise his sons to have those qualities, so they could choose carefully to avoid an unwanted relation. After all, they were Suryavanshi, the descendants of Lord Rama, the Maryada Purushottama.

But today here he was, standing at Panchal. Maharaj Drupad might think it was because of the favour he did at him. However, it was his son who brought him really. After Dridhaksh said yes for the proposal, Maharaj Drishadvat had taken him aside to make sure, he wasn't saying it simply to honour him and make his mother happy. He had grilled him until he became sure Dridhaksh already met Rajkumari Shikhandini and liked her. He was certain Dridhaksh was hiding something else too, but let it rest for now.

Shikhandini came to greet them at last. She was nervous from inside. She had heard about the Maharaj and Maharani of Dravida a lot. From outsiders and from Rajkumar Dridhaksh too. He spoke of his parents fondly and held them in high regards. Their influential personality wasn't helping with her nervousness too.

"Parnipat." She greeted and bent over to touch their feet.

"Kalyan ho. (Bless you.)" Maharaj Drishadvat blessed her in his brooding voice.

"Kalyan ho, Putri." Maharani Mangalya blessed her with a soft smile. "Maine suna tha ki tum sahasi ho, veerangana ho. Parantu kisine mujhe yeh nehi bataya, ki tum itni pyaari aur prakitisth bhi ho. (I heard that you are brave, a warrior woman. But no one told me you're so lovely and natural too.)"

Shikhandini was surprised with her compliment. She tried to decipher if there was any underlined sarcasm or mocking in it. But the Queen seemed to be genuine. That helped in easing her nerves a bit. She acknowledged her by returning a slight smile with a nod.

They were led inside to rest then as Dhristadhymn remained behind to wait for the three Princes. They arrived much more time later. Dhristadhymn welcomed them. His wife, Yuvrani Vindumati did the rituals to welcome Rajkumar Dridhaksh.

"Hope the journey was pleasant." Dhristadhymn said to Dridhaksh.

"A journey is never pleasant. It's the destination that brings pleasure." Dridhaksh replied.

"Of course. Who will know that better than me? Hope you came prepared for the wedding." Dhristadhymn said again with a sly smile.

"Absolutely. And I hope you're prepared for it too." Dridhaksh replied with a smirk.

In Dravida:

"Where is my son Arya?" Rajkumari Shubhaprada asked anxiously.

Earlier this week, Rajkumar Dhritimat had gone to leave the three young Princes of Dravida to the Ashram of Rishi Satyadhritih. Dwijendra's eight year old son Prathamesh and Dheemant's seven year old sons Harshakrit & Pradyut were ready to be sent off for education. Dhritimat had taken Satyen with him to see them off at the Ashram. But today when he returned, he was alone. Satyen wasn't with him.

"At Rishi Satyadhritih's Ashram." Dhritimat replied nonchalantly.

"You left him there? But how will he come back now? Will you go again to bring him? Did he want to stay with his brothers a little more? Was he stubborn? You should have make him understand, Arya. This boy is becoming more and more mischievous day by day. But you're mindful. You should have thought. Now, who will go back just for him? And it'll also take days before someone reaches. How will he live there till then? You should ---"

"Shubhabrata---" Dhritimat called her sternly ending her babbling. Shubhaprada looked at him with a foreboding feeling. "He will only return after completing his education. With his brothers. I left him there at the Rishivar's care."

"Arya? What are you saying? Are you joking with me? He's just a five year old boy. How can you leave him there?! He's not prepared for this. He can't even do his own works properly till now. How will a small boy face the hardships of the Ashram?!" Shubhaprada asked in astonishment.

"He will learn. Rishi Satyadhritih knows how to treat a five year old. And his brothers are also with him. They'll keep an eye on him too." Dhritimat replied ignoring the clenching of his heart.

"But why? It isn't his age to be sent. Did he do some mischief again? Then bring him back and punish him some other way. Is it any way to punish a five year old?" Shubhaprada said crying.

"Really? You think sending a child for education is a punishment?" Dhritimat asked frowning in anger. But he controlled it by taking a deep breath.

"Children's are like wet earth that needs to be given right shape before it hardens into a wrong one. It is our duty as parents to understand their potentiality and guide them. Satyen's curiosity, his mischief is due to the potential of his brain and his impatience. He wants to know but his mind is too restless to grasp the complete meaning. He has the ability to connect the dots, but doesn't have the knowledge that is required to differentiate between right and wrong dots. And if he isn't given proper guidance right now, he will go astray."

"Is it because of Preesha? Is it why you're sending him away?" Shubhaprada asked again, tears still slipping from her eyes.

"Yes and no. I'm not sending him away. And yes, Preesha is part of the reason why I sent him. Preesha is his sister and it's a sin to even think of marrying her. He won't understand the severity of the sin until his mind is calm and knowledge is gained. Without understanding the roots, it's not possible to gain fruits. If we scold him, punish him, keep him away from Preesha, that'll only make him more stubborn. But as he learns to detect the thin line between right and wrong, he himself will see the fault." Dhritimat replied calmly.

"I don't know anything. I want my son back. If you don't bring him back, I'll talk to Jyesth bhrata. I will talk to Mata and Pitashree when they return. You'll have to bring him back." Shubhaprada said. She was unable to stand anymore and sat on a nearby couch crying miserably. Dhritimat sat beside her, but didn't try to console.

"Maybe you still haven't understood us, Shubhabrata. We are lenient, light-hearted and liberal. But when time requires, we can be fierce, stone-hearted and strict too. Once in a fit of anger, Dhikshit burned the hand of a das. Pitashree stopped talking to him for thirteen days in spite of his apologies. On the fourteen day, when he apologised again, Pitashree told him to stand with burning coal in his hand until he got used to the heat. Dhikshit tried several times to take the coal in his hand, burning his hands in the process. We thought Pitashree would stop him. But he didn't. Not until he was able to take it in his hand and stand. Pitashree hardened himself that time, but later for the whole next month, he was the one who fed Dhikshit too." Dhritimat said. Shubhaprada had stopped crying in surprise.

"That day, we all learned a lesson with Dhikshit. Before we inflict any pain to others, we should know the severity of the pain. Only then we can decide if the inflicted pain will be right or not. The man we all are today, is due to the teachings of our parents and teachers. And if they only showered love and pampered us, we wouldn't have learned anything." Dhritimat added before turning to Shubhaprada. He gently wiped the residue of her tears and said,

"Being parent is not only a blessing, but also a responsibility. Love your child, but don't ruin his future and potentiality with attachment. Satyen's brain is prepared to receive education and his physical limitations won't be tested until he's prepared for it. Have trust in your son's ability Shubhabrata."

In Panchal:

Draupadi and Drisana reached Panchal with Nakul. Both of their family members were awaiting for their arrival. Drisana greeted her parents first and after getting out of their warm embraces, moved to meet her brothers.

"I'm feeling like I saw you after ages behna." Daiwik said embracing Drisana.

"I miss you bhrata. I miss you all." Drisana said smiling at them.

"Toh purb hi keh deti. Hum sab aa jate tumhare paas Indraprasth. Hai nah Rajkumar Nakul? (Then you should have said something earlier. We would have come to you at Indraprasth. Right, Rajkumar Nakul?)" Daiwik asked smirking playfully. Nakul returned a nervous smile as Drisana chuckled at him.

Drisana moved towards Priyala as Preesha laughed loudly watching her.

"Oh my little princess! How are you?" Drisana asked in a childish voice taking Preesha from her mother.

Here, after greeting her father, Draupadi had gone to meet Shikhandini. As everyone settled after the initial greetings, Nakul and Drisana were led to the guest chamber to rest. While passing through the hallway, Drisana's eyes caught Shikhandini and Draupadi. She had yet to meet the warrior princess of Panchal. A sigh escaped her as she remembered the past.

Flashback

A few days before Drisana's wedding.....

Drisana was going back to her chamber with a smile and a slight blush on her face. But it didn't last for long as Dhristyadhymn came in front of her. He had been searching for an opportunity to talk since he came here.

"Where is it?" He asked without wasting time in small talks. Drisana looked around to see if anyone was near and signed him to come to a more secluded area. The last thing she needed was for someone to hear them.

"Wherever it is, it's safe." Drisana replied stilling herself. She knew Dhristyadhymn wasn't going to be subsided so easily.

"But the problem is, it's not with me yet." Dhristyadhymn said rudely.

"It will be when you pay the right price." Drisana said casually.

"I've already paid the price. Don't forget. Sending my spies in Hastinapur and risking myself by going to Magadh, was it. Now it's your time to keep your word." Dhristyadhymn said impatiently.

"I don't think so Dhristyadhymn. Going in a dangerous area of the mountain and facing a bunch of Pisachas can't be paid back so easily." Drisana said giving him a sharp look. Dhristyadhymn was surprised. He knew there was going to be some danger. But not what she said.

"Look Drisana -"

"You look Dhristyadhymn. That was not worth what you did for me. Did you deliberately do it? You knew there was Pisachas and still send me there." Drisana said in anger.

"Wait. I had no idea about the Pisachas. And I didn't want you to go there alone. I, myself wanted to go with you. So, don't blame me." Dhristyadhymn defended himself fiercely.

"I will blame you. Because of you I had to go there and I wasn't alone. My brother, bhrata Dridhaksh was with me. Thankfully we returned back safely. But that doesn't mean I forgot what we went through." Drisana said back matching his tone. Dhristyadhymn finally understood why Rajkumar Dridhaksh was giving him death glares.

"I also risked -"

"You didn't risk yourself solely for me. Don't forget if you didn't then your sister will be a widow by now. I know you don't much care for your siblings. But Panchal will also have lost Rajkumar Arjun and that's an ally neither you nor Maharaj Drupad wants to lose. So don't try to teach me the calculation Dhristyadhymn." Drisana said in agitation. Dhristyadhymn only glared at her unable to reply as her words rang true.

"I'll keep my word. I'll give you the Pasha. But when, that's upto me. And don't do anything foolish. Bhrata Dridhaksh is barely restraining himself as it is." Drisana said calmly.

"What do you want now?" Dhristyadhymn asked gritting his jaw hard.

"Now, don't be so angry. I'm not that bad you know. I've the perfect plan for you." Drisana said smiling at him as he narrowed his eyes. "You need to pay the price. But not to me. You're right actually. We had a deal and you did what I wanted. And to keep my part of the deal, I got the Yamapasha. But. The problem is I don't have the Pasha in my possession. So, I can't give it to you even if I want."

"What do you mean? Where's the Pasha?" Dhristadhymn asked frowning.

"It's with bhrata Dridhaksh." Drisana replied grimly. "I had to tell him the truth when he questioned me. He was ready to kill you. But when I reminded him about Maharaj Drupad's favour on Pitashree, he restrained himself. The one who saved our father's life, shouldn't be childless because of us."

"Now what? How'll I get it from him? You promised me Drisana. I want the Pasha at any cost." Dhristadhymn said in irritation.

"You have two options. Either wait for me to get it from bhrata. And I can't promise you a time limit as I'll leave Dravida after my wedding, it'll be difficult for me. Till then wait and do what I say. You know, so I can persuade bhrata Dridhaksh saying you also helped us.
Or, persuade bhrata Dridhaksh yourself somehow. As I said, he was there with me risking his life. So, he won't give it so easily." Drisana said nonchalantly.

"You've already made me wait for a long time!" Dhristadhymn said incredulously. He was blistering at the thought. He had already helped her for years. He wasn't going to dance in her tunes anymore. No way.

"Look, as I said, I am keeping my end of the bargain. If you can't keep patience, then talk to bhrata Dridhaksh. It's upto you." Drisana said with annoyance and left.

"I'm surprised Yuvraj Dhristadhymn. I can't decide if you're excessively foolish or pretty brave that you dared to come to me." Dridhaksh said lazily examining a sword. They were in the training area alone when Dhristadhymn thought to have a talk with him.

"You have something that is my right." Dhristadhymn replied sternly.

"Right is only of those who work for it. So, what makes you think that you have any right on it?" Dridhaksh asked in a cold voice.

"Your sister promised me. Are you going to dishonour her promise? Besides I can ask for it through my father. Maharaj Drishadvat won't refuse, will he?" Dhristadhymn said though he didn't want anyone else involved in it.

"Of course not. But I'm thinking what a body without a head will do with the Pasha." Dridhaksh said turning to face him finally.
"You blackmailed her. You put her at risk. What makes you think I'll let you use it? She only promised the weapon, not its usage. As for Pitashree, you're right absolutely. After knowing everything, he will hand it over to repay Maharaj Drupad. But. He won't stop Dravida's army or his sons from beheading you for trying to ruin his daughter's life."

Dridhaksh finished with a smile. Dhristadhymn glanced here and there to think of something. He knew it wouldn't benefit him to let Maharaj Drishadvat know it. Maharaj Drupad wouldn't be impressed with this mess either. But he was also tensed about how long Dridhaksh would keep it a secret.

"Can't we come to an agreement? There has to be something. I apologise for what I did. But I never intended to harm Drisana. There must be a way to compensate, to close the matter."

"Is there?"

"Ask for anything you want. Wealth, weapon, support. What do you want? I just want the matter closed." Dhristadhymn said in frustration.

"Blood for blood. Skills for ability. A sister for a sister." Dridhaksh said after a long silence.

"What?" Dhristadhymn was confused.

"You used my sister's ability. I want your sister's skills. I want Rajkumari Shikhandini's knowledge and skills of warfare to be used solely for Dravida." Dridhaksh replied.

"Wha---?!" Dhristadhymn was beyond shocked by the prospect. "Are you joking with me? It's not possible and even if it was, what will you do with her?!!! Don't tell me, Dravida needs a woman to lead their army."

"We do actually. Dravida's family court needs a commander in chief who is well trained in warfare. Most of the women are not interested in welding weapons. Those who are interested, hesitates to practice with men. Besides families don't want their girls to be watched or touched by men during practice. And that problem will be solved with a battle-honed female warrior inspiring and guiding them. That's the only thing Panchal has to offer us." Dridhaksh explained calmly.

"Even if I want, it's out of my hand. Pitashree and Shikhandini Jiji won't agree for this. She won't just shift to Dravida leaving Panchal behind to build a womens army. Her loyalty lies with Panchal." Dhristadhymn said.

"That's your headache, not mine. You wanted closer, I showed the way. Now use your own brain."

"He used his brain." Dridhaksh stated sitting on the opposite side of the chess board.

"Perfect." Drisana said smiling and looking at the board. "All the pawns are at the right place now."

"Yeah. At the right place to probably start a war and for me to take sannyas." Dridhaksh said frowning in concern. He still wasn't sure about her plan. But decided to trust her anyway.

"Relax bhrata. Be positive. We're not afraid of war, are we? A war is nothing in front of our brothers. And if she really loves you, she won't let you take sannyas." Drisana said smiling playfully.

"What's next?"

"Nothing. Not until Dhristadhymn shows his magic. And after he does, take a trip to the Gandharva Kingdom."

"Gandharva Kingdom?"

"Yes. It has been long since I heard from my Sakhi, Dhamini." Drisana said and handed him a scrolled message with an insignia. Dridhaksh stared at it for a few moments, then nodded firmly.

What a long chapter...😥😥😥

The first part of the flashback was mentioned in chapter 63 of the previous book. But I thought you may feel disconnected, so I wrote it down again.

Got all the answers??? 😈😈😈

You may wonder why I portrayed Dhristadhymn this way. It's because he was the product of Drupad's anger, arrogance and hatred. He was born as a fully grown person with ability. And when we gain abilities without struggle or doesn't have the experience to grow, it makes us cocky and impatient.

Drupad was everything to him and he was supposed to guide Dhristadhymn. But Drupad himself needed guidance. 😞

Draupadi was a different matter. She came from his ambition. And he didn't fill her with his hatred and malice for revenge.

Now back to Dhritimat...

Yes, there has been instances of first cousin marriage. Even two of the Astabharya's were Krishna's maternal cousins too.
But as far as I know, there's not even a single instance anywhere of marriages between paternal cousins.

And there is one interesting story of Yama and Yami, the twins of Suryadev. It happened when they were still mortals. Yami wanted to marry Yama and she tried to convince him hard giving various reasons like they trusted, loved and understood each other. Than why not?
But Yama with his sense of righteousness and justice, refused firmly stating it as a sin.

So, I thought if Yami could be misleading, then why not Satyen.