The court maid standing outside Mahishi's room announced, "Commander Sundara Mahish has arrived, Your Highness."

She stood up, straightening her saree. He entered and bowed. Dismissing the soldiers and maids, she guestered him to take a seat. He sat on the chair, smiling. Let's see Queen, if I can make you lean on my shoulders.

Sitting on the opposite chair, she poured some tea in the cups for both of them. "I would've poured some madira but the royal doctor has advised me not to consume it."

"This is perfect, Your Majesty. I don't consume madira or soma."

She looked at him, surprised. "Aren't mercenary armies notorious for consumption of alcohol?"

He chuckled, "Yes, they are. My army is no different but I prefer not drinking."

"That's interesting."

He smiled, sipping the tea. She finds me interesting. Looks like a good sign.

Taking a sip, she apologised. "I truly apologise for my behaviour in the morning. I know you wished for my wellness -"

"Is that why you summoned me?"

"Huh?" She managed to ask.

"I am asking, Your Majesty, is that why you summoned me? To talk about what happened with you again?"

Mahishi kept her tea cup on the table, her palm clutching its handle. He kept his tea cup on the table too. Looks like I've hit the right nerve.

She whispered, "What happened to me wasn't that bad. It was all because of you, it stopped where it should have -"

She stopped speaking as he kept his palm on hers, clutching the tea cup handle. She removed her palm, recoiling with terror stricken eyes. "Explain yourself!"

"You're reacting to my touch as if I were the one who assaulted you."

"G-give me s-sometime, I'll put this incident past."

"Will you?"

She nodded. He slowly touched her palm, taking it in his. This time she didn't remove it. She asked, "See?

"Your Highness, we both know the truth. Why don't you start with letting out your anger?"

"My anger?"

"Yes, the pent up anger inside you for that imbecile tried touching you"

She shook her head. "There is no pent up anger inside me. I broke his ankles, castrated him and pronounced water punishment as well. I have taken my revenge. Why should there be any anger within me?"

He gently brushed the tears rolling from her face. "Then why are you crying?"

"I am not crying. Looks like some dust went into my eyes," she replied, wiping her tears.

He looked at her face. Why won't you give in? You might push me away, if trod on this any further. This might take more time than I thought -

Mahishi stood up, shuddering. She cried, "I am a Queen! How dare he lay hand on me! If he was told to abduct me then he should stick to that! Why did he try raping me? Had he not drugged me, I would have sliced his head off for having this thought!"

Sundara Mahish stood up and walked to her. He said, "Your Highness, I am sorry for what I am about to do."

Tear stricken, she looked up to find him embracing her. I had forgotten what warmth felt like! Both her father and brother were men who didn't show physical affection. Only Anjan had shown her some warmth. Like he had to every other woman in their palace.

Reluctantly, she embraced him. She sobbed while he gently stroked her hair. You're only allowed to do this today, Mahishi. . . Don't get used to this. I don't think I can kill any other man even if I get betrayed again. I don't want any other man to be haunting me in my dreams.

Releasing her hands from the embrace, she took a few steps back. She looked at her tear marks on his angavastra and pointed at it. "Make sure to give your clothes to the maids. I will inform the head maid to take care of it."

"Your Highness, that's gracious of you but I can't accept that," he smiled.

She looked at him, amused. "Are you trying to imply my maids are incompetent?"

"Heavens forbid, no that's not what I meant. My army is given quarters to stay in the same fortress. I couldn't ask for more. If you excuse me, I'll take my leave."

She gave a curt nod. He exited the chambers and walked towards his room. An embrace and you were back to your older form? You're a tough nut to break. Yet it looks like I was able to make a small dent in the walls of your heart. I have to use this opening.

Nilakukshi and Kaal were passing near her chambers when he was surprised to find Sundara Mahish coming out from it. Looking at his surprised face, Nilakukshi added, "Looks like he is growing closer to the Queen."

Kaal looked at him, unbelievably. "How did you even reach that conclusion?"

"It's evident Kaal, you took care of that intruder, Ravi, for her. Yet Sundara Mahish was the one called, maybe she even thanked him. Looks like she's catching feelings for him."

"Shouldn't we be thankful that the reason why the Queen wasn't harmed was due to him?"

"Yes, but you know how she will behave once she falls in love with him. She will act as if there is no other person in this world other than him. This should be fine but she compromises on her duties. She did that with Anjan too."

"She killed him too," reasoned Kaal, weakly. He knew Nilakukshi was completely spot on with his analysis.

"You know what happened before that. She needs to have another distraction. These wars were good ones. But we can't go to war to keep
her distracted."

"We can give these spy reports to her."

"Ask her what action do we take to teach a lesson to King Dahan."

Kaal looked surprised. "Why should I go alone? Weren't you accompanying me to discuss this with her?"

"On second thought, I might look at her with pitiful eyes. She hates that, I might lose my head," he reasoned.

He nodded. Nilakukshi smiled and started walking towards Sumali's chambers. A soldier announced his arrival to Sumali. No sooner was he let in, he strode in. "I've done my job, I've planted a seed of doubt in Kaal's mind. I can't do this anymore."

Sumali asked him calmly, "You can't do what?"

"This manipulation to make him believe what you want him to. Is it really necessary to target Kaal?"

"I am doing this because I know how the Queen thinks. She won't care who you're once she falls in love. Mark my words, once she falls for my nephew, she will give Commander-in-chief's position to him. Kaal will be moved to the rank of Commander. Then, he will definitely overthrow her."

"Why are you against her? Is this what Guru Shukracharya wanted?" He asked bitterly.

Sumali gave a watery smile. "At first, my father served King Rambha for two reasons. It's the duty of disciples to stay where Asuras lived so that Guru Shukracharya's learnings are imparted. The second one being my father felt King Puloman was harsh on King Rambha.
Until King Dahan ascended to the throne, my father served King Rambha. Both my and the Queen's father died in the same year. I followed my father's footsteps and counselled King Mahishasura. He decided to mend ties with King Dahan but the latter refused Mahishi's marriage proposal.

That one reason made both siblings lose their rationality. In the quest to prove their worth, I lost both my nephew and niece. Yet, I couldn't do anything. The Queen decided to tamper Guru Shukracharya's teachings, I just couldn't protest it. She knows I will not overthrow her. That's why I'm still serving her.

So Minister Nilakukshi, Kaal is needed for the plan to overthrow the Queen."

He nodded and sighed. "I understand. I will not talk about this but do not expect me to help you any further."

Sumali apologised, "Looks like I was a little frustrated so I vented out to you. I appreciate your timely help. I won't pester you henceforth."

Nilakukshi left the room. Sumali sighed. You won't understand why we went with this lengthy plan. We can't overthrow her until the location of Sanjeevani plant is revealed. There are two kingdoms and disciples of Guru Shukracharya secretly working to uncover its location.

Once we know where it is, she is deposed by Kaal's military coup. Hope we find it first so that we will have the upper hand in negotiations. Sachi and Dahan have to step up their search.
*
Kaal handed over the spy reports to Mahishi. She motioned him to take a seat opposite to her. She started going through it.

The lives of people in Mysore have started worsening. There is shortage of grains and taxes levied are higher.

"Why isn't Minister Nilakukshi or Sumali here? How can I discuss matters of finance and state with you?"

"Then let me summon them here -"

"Leave it, I will send out a document to both of them. We will discuss it in court tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Your Highness isn't it too early for that? The royal doctor has asked you to rest."

"I can't. I have to be involved in these matters and take action. Due to these wars, my people in the Asura Kingdom are dying. I need to reduce their taxes and increase food supplies that are being sent."

"If we reduce their taxes, how will we recover the war cost?"

She stared at the window beside her. "I'll increase taxes in the Deva Kingdom."

"Will the people in Deva Kingdom be fine?"

"Frankly, I don't care. When my brother took care of their drought situation here, these people didn't recognise it. Instead they said that their King Indra helped my brother. What they don't know is that their King was praying to Lord Vishnu, asking for his help."
Kaal looked at her surprised. "Your Highness, pardon my intrusion, how did you know what people here are thinking?"

She smiled and his eyes grew wide in realisation. "You sneaked out of the palace?"

Ever since Mahishasura had assumed the role of the King, he would often disguise as a commoner and mingle with the public to know their opinion. His sister would insist on accompanying him but he would refuse. Mahishi's taste in clothing was too extravagant and her brother knew she would stand out more.

Actually, everyone in the court knew.

"Hey! I need to keep a tab on what's happening in my kingdom. I was thinking maybe I was too harsh on the people here. It turns out, they are way worse. They don't acknowledge my or my brother's achievements. I tried speaking to some of the people yet they were rude."

"Were you wearing at least blue or white coloured clothes?"

"Both blue and white are boring colours. I was wearing my favourite maroon saree," she replied.

He rolled his eyes, "Of course, you had to. Those people hate us, wearing warm tones would mean you are a supporter of Asuras."

"Do not roll your eyes in my presence," she warned.

"Then Your Highness, please take at least one of the ministers with you. We can't let you risk your life."

"Fine, I'll take you next time with me," she promised. Rest of the report other usual things, including the attack on merchant ships by the pirate Vavar and his group.

King Rajashekaran of Padalam was denied permission to enter tharavad of Panikkar's to request for kalaripayattu training for his adopted son, Manikandan.

The Prince's guru, Gurunathan has a blind and dumb boy, Unni, who was bullied. He would never step out of the cottage. For Gurunathan's gurudakshina, Prince Manikandan restored the vision and voice of Unni. They say a light entered Unni's eyes, he saw the person in front of him as an adolescent boy with a bow, a tall brown leather bag hung at his back containing arrows. Its strap ran from his right shoulder to left torso, his well-oiled hair placed under an extravagant gold crown; numerous gold ornaments adorned him.

Unni joined his hands and cried, "Swami Ayyappa! Swami sharanam Ayyappa!"

She folded the scroll and placed it on the table. This prince is performing miracles like avatars of Lord Vishnu. Was he really born to kill me?

"Commander-in-chief Kaal, let your spies stationed in Pandalam know that I need every single information on this Prince Manikandan."

He nodded. Once he left, a gust of wind blew in, making her shriek. I need to forget what happened. I need to plan to get back to Dahan.

***

Thank you for reading.