Within the high security prison of Mahishmati,
Bijjaladeva sat on the hard floor of the prison drawing stick figures and labelling them 'Mahendra', 'Devasena', 'Kattappa', and 'Avanthika' with a piece of charcoal in his hand. Once he had completed the artistic endeavor to his satisfaction, he crossed them all off before erasing them with his torn and smudged silk dhothi. He muttered like a half-crazed man, "If only I wasn't so alone...If only I had somebody behind me...."

Just then, he espied a crumpled scroll thrown at his feet by one of the soldiers who was patrolling the corridor of the high security prison. The man gestured him not to move or do anything that could awaken suspicion in the other soldier who was patrolling this corner along with him. Bijjaladeva hastily peaked at the crumpled scroll when nobody was looking.

"I am one of Maharaj Bhallaladeva's spies. There are more of us. We have infiltrated into Mahendra Baahubali's ranks. He will be coronated as the king of Mahishmati tomorrow. It is his intention to execute you publicly as soon as he takes over the reins of the kingdom. We have made all the plans from our side to help you escape during this ceremony. Be alert and prepared for it, Sir."

Bijjaladeva's face started glowing in the darkness of the night. The situation was not so utterly hopeless now. So this only meant that there were still many supporters from their camp. And some of them had infiltrated right into Mahendra's army. This was good news. Evil does not die in a single day like that. Its traces and remnants remain behind ready to reignite some other day when the right opportunity presents itself.

He would take this chance now and escape from Mahishmati. But where? Just then he remembered her. His daughter-in-law, Shodasi Devi, the Queen of Vijayapuri and Bhallaladeva's estranged wife. He could seek refuge with her. He knew that she was a very honest and righteous person. She would never bend nor would she fall in line with his schemes for vengeance.

Shodasi had a mind of her own. She did what she thought was right. And it would be impossible to convince or manipulate her into doing something she considered to be wrong, immoral or unethical. That was the very reason why she and Bhallaladeva had separated from each other. And in all these long years, she had never sought either him or Bhalla. As a matter of fact, she hadn't looked back to see how her own offspring, Bhadra was doing. Perhaps, she had been disgusted with the goings-on in Mahishmati.

But she wouldn't refuse him refuge either. To this day, Shodasi respected him and considered him like a father. He would have to go to Vijayapuri and secretly work on his subversive activities and agenda from there taking care not to give his daughter-in-law any hint of his true intentions.
-
-
-
At the town square,
The capital city of Mahishmati had been decorated like a bride for the coronation ceremony of Mahendra. By now, the entire area was bustling with people and activity. Festoons were being strung here and there. The entire arena was being decorated with flower garlands. The Vedic scholars and pundits were overseeing the arrangements for the rituals of this ceremony. People were thronging this place in thousands. There was joy and merriment on everyone's faces. They were shouting themselves hoarse, "Baahubali Jai ho! Baahubali Jai ho!" (May you be victorious, Baahubali!)

The janitor had completed all his official duties. Now he remembered the task assigned to him by Kattappa. He did not want to miss the coronation ceremony. There was still time for the ceremony to begin. If he started now, he could be back by the time the coronation commenced. He carefully collected all the remains in a pot. He hastened his way through the thronging crowds towards the banks of the Bhagiradhi River.

The bank appeared deserted at the present moment. There seemed to be no one except him around that spot. In all probability, everyone was at the town square eagerly waiting for the commencement of the ceremony. He was about to immerse the ashes when he was suddenly hit by an arrow and collapsed on the spot. His assailants were two men in black masks. They were armed to the teeth. They appeared to be spies. They continued conversing among themselves in muffled tones:
"Come on hide this body quickly."
"Did you snatch the pot?"
"He will be waiting for us."
"Make haste or else we will be caught."
-
-
-
The two men hastily rode towards a deserted and secluded spot and handed over the ashes to somebody who was wearing a hooded cloak. He received the pot while saying, "Thank you! Both of you go underground. I have to leave Mahishmati now. But you will continue passing on information to me. I hope you know where to send your messages?"

One of the two men responded to this, "Yes, Sir! I will send all the information I succeed in collecting to Vijayapuri."

The hooded figure carefully placed the pot in a knapsack before he mounted his horse and started riding towards the horizon all alone, unaccompanied and unattended by anybody. The external boundaries of Mahishmati were fast approaching. The rider was an insider. He knew where security would be lax, where the men patrolling the borders were corrupt and avaricious, and where he could buy his way out. He was physically too weak, old and crippled to fight his way out.

But to compensate for that, the almighty had bestowed him tremendous intellect. In return for a full bag of gold coins, the two guards who were guarding that border outpost allowed him to pass by without making much ado. As he crossed the borders of Mahishmati, he gave a parting glance towards the splendid kingdom he was leaving behind himself saying, "Adieu Mahishmati! Rest in peace till my return!"
-
-
-
Bhallaladeva, the evil tyrant, was no more. Mahendra Baahubali, his nephew ascended the throne of Mahishmati amidst great pomp, fanfare and celebration among the general populace. Just when everyone was celebrating the happy occasion, a breathless soldier ran in, "Bijjaladeva has escaped!"

An extremely shocked Mahendra inquired, "What? How did this happen?" The soldier informed, "He apparently took advantage of the lapses in security during the festivities of the coronation ceremony." Mahendra ordered with a sense of urgency pressing upon him, "Send a search party for him. I want him traced....Immediately....Now!"

The euphoria and high of victory had instantly died down after this revelation. The minds of all those assembled in the court were occupied on how to tackle this situation. Kattappa said, "This isn't good news for us, Maharaj! He will definitely try to create problems for us."

The Queen Mother, Devasena agreed. Diplomacy had never been her forte. She always spoke the hard-hitting truths in a forthright manner. She spoke in a warning tone, "I concur with Kattappa's opinion. You should have taken adequate care about Bijjaladeva. You have let a viper off the hook, Mahendra. He will not take whatever we have done to his son lying down. Our ancestors have cautioned us that one should never leave behind even residual traces of fire, debt, or enemies. Rectify this mistake as quickly as possible, or else..." Devasena's voice trailed off at this juncture leaving behind a hint of impending doom.
-
-
-