Shivi

"How is this possible?" Devika gasped, "The crocodiles of river Shatadru are not supposed to be kind to enemy soldiers! How could they cross the deep trenches around our city?" She wondered aloud, still in the initial shock. She saw Govasana leaving hurriedly to call the Senapati, but could not yet bring herself to move.

She was well aware of the defense of Shivi. It was never possible to sneak into the city unless the temporary pathway over the trenches are provided from the main fort. Only the north-western tower had that equipment for the use of citizens in some emergency situation. And no one knew about that except the royal family and the Senapati.

Devika's jaws tightened. Who did this betrayal with Shivi?

The noise of fighting reached her, making her feel the need of doing something for her motherland. She rushed to the armoury and grabbed her favourite weapon, her long sword.

When Devika reached near the fort, she found the Shivi army fighting with all their might. Her father's chariot was guarded by a huge group of soldiers, led by Shaivya, her brother.

"Didi why have you come here?" Shaivya cried as soon as as he saw Devika, "you run to the north-western tower immediately and flee from there!"

"Don't talk like this, Shaivya!" Devika snapped, "you are asking me to flee while my family, my kingdom is in danger?"

Shaivya impatiently said, "Didi you don't know that this is a conspiracy to abduct you! Escape soon from Shivi! Save yourself, save Shivi too!"

Conspiracy to abduct her? Devika spun round to search for the attacker leader. In the light of several flambeaus all she could see the flag of Sindhu adorning the top of a chariot that was guarded by a large army.

Jayadratha! Coward! Is this your valour to attack a neighbour kingdom at this late hour of night!

Hatred filled Devika's heart. Her grip tightened over the sword. Her extreme anger kept vanquishing Sindhu soldiers one by one as Mahakali did to demon army.

The men who had insulted their valour by violating norms of war, must learn valour from a woman! From her, the student of Shri Krishna!

"Aaah!" A familiar voice reached her overpowering the clanging sound of swords. Pushing her opponent away quickly with her sword, Devika turned round. Her heart skipped a beat to see Vajravahu, the senapati of Shivi, lying lifeless near her feet.

"Senapati!" She cried. Her feet hurried to the loyal mortyer to pay her last homage to him. But she had to stop in between. Someone stood before her.

***

Varanavata

"This palace is so breathtakingly beautiful!" Bhima mused in awe, "I want to check the kitchen first!"

"What else would interest you more, Bhrata?" Laughed Arjuna, "you go to kitchen. Let me check the armoury first!"

"I'm going to the stable then." Nakula declared, "Deva, want to come with me?"

Yudhishthira could not pay attention to his brothers' jovial talks. His alert eyes kept observing each corner of the palace. The construction seemed weird. There was no door at the backside of the house and Purochana, the famous architect who built this palace, lived near the entrance. And even more weird was a smell that he could not ignore.

"Be alert, son!" Vidura's voice rang in his head as his sixth sense became active. Blood rushed through his veins as his eyes returned on his mother and brothers' happy faces.

He had no time to waste now! They had to know about the upcoming danger immediately!

"Bhima, can you smell something bad?" He asked suddenly.

Everyone turned to him, surprised at his unusually alert voice.

"Smell what, Jyeshtha?" Bhima's eyebrows curved.

"Lac, fat, ghee, resin...all inflammable materials!" Yudhishthira looked at his brothers intently, "don't you smell them?"

"What do you want to mean, Yudhishthira?" Kunti was grave.

"This luxurious palace is made of inflammable materials, Maa! So that even a little spark of fire can burn us down within few moments!" Yudhishthira said, "This is abode of death! Our death!"

***

Shivi

"Enough harm you have done to Shivi!" The man snapped, blocking Devika's way, "now don't insult this mortyer warrior's corpse anymore! You are the sole reason of his veergati!"

"Me?" Devika froze in her step for a while.

"You are blaming me for this, Bhrata Kotikasya?"

"Yes, you, Shivi Kumari!" Kotikasya shouted, "it's you who invited this trouble to us! Who told you to send a letter to Sindhu Yuvaraj, denying his proposal?"

"I didn't deny his proposal, Bhrata!" Her jaws tightened, "if Sindhu Yuvaraj is unable to distinguish between denial and request of postponement, I cannot help!" She herself was surprised at her calm yet firm voice. Did she get a part of him within her, the one who could be sthira even in yuddha?

"Don't talk like a fool!" Kotikasya's voice turned louder, "who gave you the right of asking him to postpone the wedding? You insulted him, insulted your family too who already accepted the proposal! You have maligned Shivi, the great Ushinara's clan!"

"Bhrata Kotikasya!" anger flashed in Devika's eyes, "it's you who maligned the glorious Shivi clan, not me! Traitor! Betrayer of own motherland! Isn't it you who helped Sindhu army to invade in your kingdom, that too at this time? Isn't it you who provided them the secret pathway to cross our security?" She breathed angrily, bitting her lips, "I'm ashamed even to call you my brother!"

"What wrong have I done?" Kotikasya snapped, "Jayadratha is my friend. He deserves my support when he is not wrong!"

Devika turned her face away. Her entire body was shivering in hatred for her cousin.

"Now do something that can stop this bloodshed, Devi!" Kotikasya continued, "Do accept Jayadratha and go with him!"

"NEVER!" Every pore of Devika's body cried, "I'll rather die in this battle! Right now!"

"Maharaj Govasana!" Jayadratha's grave voice was heard.

"Tell your foolish daughter to come with me if she really wants to save her motherland!" The Sindhu Yuvaraj said from his chariot, "I heard a lot about her so called kindness to subjects! Would she like to get them killed for her own sake?"

"Sindhu Yuvaraj!" Devika was still calm, "My subjects and soldiers have done nothing to offend you! Don't hurt them! I challenge you in a duel. Fight with me!" Her grip tightened over her sword.

"Duel with me?" Jayadratha laughed sarcastically, "do you think you can defeat a warrior like me?"

"There is no shame for a kshatrani in dying in war rather than submitting herself to the enemy of her kingdom!"

"Devika, accept what he says, Vatse!" Govasana's helpless voice hit her ears.

"Pita!" She turned around, still unable to believe what she had just heard. Would her father too stand against her wish now?

"As a ruler, I cannot let this happen to my kingdom and my people, Devi!" Govasana's eyes betrayed guilt, still he continued, "they say one person must be sacrificed for the sake of the whole kingdom! Your sacrifice can save Shivi, Putri!"

Tears filled Devika's lotus eyes but she forcefully sent it back. Her last hope had been melted away!

"You are a king, Pita! I don't want to be your weakness and the reason for your people's suffering." Her jaws tightened, "you won't see me in your kingdom anymore! Only one request, save Shivi before it's too late!"

She finished, and rushed to the north western tower, hoping that Kotikasya had not removed the secret pathway from there. She did not see Jayadratha indicating his charioteer to follow her.