A sense of numbness and disbelief took over Aparaajitha. She closed her eyes and opened them to look again as though willing herself to suspend and postpone the inevitable realization one moment longer. But it made no difference to the actual reality. Mrithyunjay was indeed gone. Where and why, she had no idea.

The look of shock on Malli's face reinforced her own conviction that Mrithyinjay was indeed missing. As the palanquin rocked forth and her own existence, self-belief and trust on him rocked along with it, only one single question tormented her, "Why? Mrithyunjay, why? Today of all other days?"

It seemed as though that day thirteen years back when she was all alone, perched on that tree came back to her with redoubled vigor. Then at least, she had only herself to look after. Today the weight of all those huge expectations on her and the responsibility and welfare of all the three hundred people along with her seemed to weigh down her neck like a death throttle.

For a moment, she wished she wasn't born or she could curl up within her mother's lap and let go of everything. She clutched her temples that wound one knot after the other. She tried to silence the noisy echoes and voices in her head that threatened to crush her. She did not feel adequate to face what lay before her, much less lead an entire contingent when she hardly knew where she was going. She could no longer continue to deceive herself that everything was going to be alright. It was like the blind leading the blind.

Aparaajitha looked up at the skies once again seeking reassurance, "I am alone once again, father. I don't know what to do and how. What should I do and whom should I trust?" She sat back utterly hopeless when the long forgotten memory of her father's words echoed within her ears like a soothing and caressing whisper, "You, my daughter! Trust in yourself for we trust in you."
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Mrithyunjay had been following the overseer and the chained ladies at a safe following distance. He did not know what came over him so suddenly. His legs began walking in their direction without his own volition. He hadn't expected to see her after all these years after leaving his native village, and that too in this pitiable state.

There was nothing but a hollow shell left of the much loved mother. During those long days and nights when he had been at sea or braving all sorts of dangers, the memories of her tactile touch, embrace and love had been his sole solace. Those childhood memories had been like a warm blanket on even the darkest, gloomiest and coldest of nights.

Every time he imagined her, he thought she must have been fine and happy. He knew it was a pleasing and comforting illusion. But at least it was something that did not wrack his heart and soul and toss him on the brink of insanity and countless sleepless nights. Now that reality had set in, even that comforting illusion evaporated like the mist on a hot, sunny day.

He was in a secluded cove of thick trees, thorny bushes and sharp and jagged rocks. It was only now when Aparaajitha and the rest of their party were distant specks on the horizon he realized that he had literally deserted her and his companions in the most crucial juncture of their mission. Two of the hardest minutes in his life followed next. Self-reproach and indecision rocked his very soul. Whether he went this way or that, the loss would be his. A part of his soul would burn in the hell-fire of guilt. He cursed the Almighty for putting him in such a moral and ethical dilemma. Everything he had believed and lived for till this moment contradicted each other, "Should I choose my mother or my motherland?"

He collapsed on the hard and unforgiving ground pitted with sharp stones and thorny bushes, pulling hair in frustration and crying his heart out and curling up into a ball, he felt himself being surrounded by a group of masked men. At another time or day, he wouldn't have been taken a prisoner so easily without giving them a fight and taking at least ten or fifteen of their men down. But today, his will to fight was lost not because his arms and limbs lacked strength but because his inner reserves and mental strength were at their lowest ebb. Just then he was hit on the back of his head before he lost consciousness.
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When he regained consciousness, Mrithyunjay found that he had been securely tied up to a nearby tree. The overseer who had been leading the women with a rope lay lifeless just near him. He furiously kicked the lifeless form with his legs as though to vent the frustration that welled up within him like a flood at being unable to dispense justice with his own hands to his mother's tormentor.

His captors were speaking among themselves, "The scouts informed that Master will be here by tomorrow morning. The ladies have been freed and sent to a safe place. This area has been scoured throughly. None of Subahu's or Vijayamarthanda's informers or rats are infesting this place. It is now safe and secure for his arrival."

"Why did you instruct us to spare the other man? For all we know, he might have been the overseer's assistant."

"It didn't seem like that. All the ladies have affirmed that they do not know him and one of them even attested that she had observed him following them since a while. We will question him after he regains consciousness. If he is one of their men, we can dispose him off then itself. But if he is innocent or a simple villager, we can never forgive ourselves. Our fight is against the establishment not the people."

"Or rather, we can simply hold him captive till Master arrives. He will decide what has to be done with him."

"This looks like a better idea. We will keep him captive till then."
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In Vijayamarthanda's encampment,
Aparaajitha was ushered into the presence of Vijayamarthanda and Subahu immediately after her arrival at Vijayamarthanda's royal encampment. Her breath instantly knotted and hitched for a moment with intemperate fury on seeing the two men who were responsible for destroying her entire family. For a second, her hand instinctively reached out to the place where she usually kept her knife tucked within her bodice. It was with a superhuman effort at self-control that she managed to remind herself of all those people who had come so far trusting her and her leadership and contain herself from lashing out instantaneously.

Vijayamarthanda exclaimed in a hearty voice, "Swagatham! Suswagatham Mahishmati lo!" (Welcome! A hearty welcome to Mahishmati!)

Aparaajitha said within herself, "You know not whom you are welcoming so wholeheartedly or else you would never welcome us!" Putting on her best smile on her face though her heart was brimming with poisonous venom, Aparaajitha greeted Subahu and Vijayamarthanda, "My heartfelt greetings to the Kings of Mahishmati and Ashwakootam on behalf of the entire kingdom of Suvarnadwipam!"

She beckoned a few maids to bring the previous crystals, pearls and spices she had brought along with her, "Please accept these humble gifts as a token of our appreciation."

Vijayamarthanda held a chalice of the finest and costliest brew of wine available in the Indian subcontinent in hand which he continued sipping. His eyes glimmered and momentarily widened with greed at all the wealth placed before him. Subahu did not say anything. He contented himself by giving a cursory nod and a half-hearted smile conveying his acceptance of her gifts.

Subahu continued to stare at Aparaajitha with a hawk-like gaze as though trying to decipher her. For some reason which he couldn't name, Subahu appeared to be terribly at unease in her presence. There was nothing amiss either in Aparaajitha's words or behavior to warrant any sort of suspicion. But there was something in her eyes that told Subahu to be wary of her.

"I think the journey must have been tiresome. All the arrangements have been made for your comfortable stay for the next couple of days. Once you are rested, we will resume our journey to Ashwakootam. In the meanwhile, you may explore the popular places and attractions near this place. My son, Prince Virupaksh will escort you to the famous Shiva Temple on the banks of Bhagiradhi", said Vijayamarthanda.

Aparaajitha heaved a sigh of relief. The first meeting had gone comparatively well. Nobody seemed to suspect her. She had to ingratiate herself and weave her way into the confidence of Vijayamarthanda and Subahu before executing any of her plans.

Once Aparaajitha had departed, Subahu summoned one of his aides aside, "Maintain a close watch over her and her entire entourage. Report to me directly if you find anything amiss!"
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That night,
In a secret meeting with his head of intelligence, Subahu was taking stock of the conditions in his kingdom. The intelligence chief reported, "There is distrust and growing discontent in the kingdom. People are seething with anger."

"Nothing new or nothing that can't be controlled. Anything about the rebels and their activities?" Subahu asked.

"The rebels are growing stronger and stronger. There are newer recruits who are joining them every day. They are being trained in ten different locations all over the kingdom on par with any trained military. They know each and every inch of these jungles and mountains. To top it all, the local populace idolizes and supports them. Even when our officers raid these locations, they find nothing because news already reaches these rebels about our arrival and they change locations. We have lost more men in flushing them out than they have while fighting us. When we change tactics, they change tactics faster than us."

"I know. They have literally been a thorn on my side ever since I ascended the throne. As I have grown in strength and power, they have also simultaneously grown in power. But you see, living in these mountains and jungles is a hard life. Aditya Varma is not growing any younger. Once we manage to catch and execute him, everything will collapse like a pack of cards", Subahu remarked.

"I don't know if this report is true or not. But there have been several rumors doing the rounds that Aditya will come tomorrow to the Shiva temple on the banks Bhagiradhi for Mahendra Baahubali's annual ceremony and that he always comes every year. Of course, he will be disguised. He has never missed a year till now. So there is a chance that he will come this year too."

"Set up the mousetrap! This game will end once and for all, Aditya", Subahu rubbed his hands together in anticipation and glee.

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Teaser:
Aparaajitha looked at Mrithyunjay as though to ask how to get rid of the constant nuisance who had been hovering near her elbow.......

Both of them were urging their horses and men as they rode nonstop at a furious pace.....

On the banks of Bhagiradhi,

Sanga screamed and the waters near the exact spot where Aditya had submerged turned blood-red.....

One of Aditya's comrades shouted, "Oh God! What's this! Go fast into the water and search for him!"

Even before he had completed these words, they were surrounded on all sides by Subahu's soldiers who had been hiding near the bushes.
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Author's Note:
This following teaser and a few action sequences in the upcoming chapters may appear similar to what I myself wrote for another story. I am taking bits and inspiration out of what I myself wrote earlier because I felt it would be apt for the present context in this story. Except for a couple of my old friends, Kripa2486 and GandaBerunda , I should imagine none of the others would have read it earlier and feel a sense of deja-vu. I hope all of you enjoyed the current chapter. If you liked what you read, please support, vote and comment on this story.