At Patalaganga,
The prisoners of war had a tasty and sumptuous repast. Their wounds were treated and they had a good night's sleep. But it would take years to heal from everything they had suffered. Mrithyunjay addressed all of them, "Dear friends, my work does not stop here. My motherland calls me. I have to go."

"We will also come with you, Mrithyunjay", they shouted.

"You kept the baton of hope burning. It is now our turn to carry forward the struggle. You have all lost so much. I cannot give back those years to you or your families. But the rest of your lives should be for yourselves and the ones whom you love. You are all free from this day onwards."

Mrithyunjay alighted his steed and held its reins. His mother gave him a cloth parcel which he put into his bag. He bade a teary farewell to his mother, Sanga Amma and the others. As he was riding away, his mother said, "Come back with our queen, son." Mrithyunjay shook his head in acquiescence.
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At Mahismati,
Subahu hadn't regained consciousness. The physicians were still frantically trying to save his life. His condition had shown no signs of improvement. But they could all take comfort from the fact that it had shown no sign of further deterioration.

After much deliberation, the ministers and generals of Mahishmati had decided that in the absence or inability of the king to personally lead the army, Narasimha would have to answer to Bhagiradhi's ultimatum for war and lead their army. They pledged their allegiance to him.

Rajamata Kamaroopi had locked herself in her room. She hadn't come even to see her son after her altercation with Eiravati. Maharani Eiravati took charge of the palace affairs. She personally took care of everything her husband would need in his current vulnerable state. Every item of food, drink and medicine was throughly checked and tested before it was given to Subahu. Even when she was obliged to leave him with his attendants, she ensured that their actions were being constantly monitored.

Troops had been summoned to the capital from all parts of Mahishmati. Narasimha was getting ready to set out. Worry for her son's life in addition to her husband's started eating away into Eiravati inner consciousness. The guilty finger had raised itself and condemned her again. She should have confessed the truth to everyone long ago. She ought to be doing it at least now.

One of her maids came to inform Eiravati that the Prince was ready to leave. She dismissed the maid. The silver plate filled with turmeric stained rice, kumkum and the burning lamp sat ready before the altar for her to pick up. Trinethrini who sat at the far end of the room came up to her and squeezed her hands. She disengaged her companion's hands.

Eiravati took the plate in her hands and walked with studied steps as though she was afraid to cross even the threshold of the room. As she reached the door, Trinethrini said, "Eira, there is a moment for falsehood. There is a moment for truth. Once that moment passes, there is nothing left but to be sorry."

Eiravati understood what her friend had been pushing her to do. But when she contemplated the barren life that lay ahead of that confession, it frightened her. Her face was wan and lackluster. She finished performing the Arathi and applied the kumkum on Narasimha's forehead.

Narasimha turned to leave. Eiravati cleared her throat as though she wanted to say something. Narasimha stopped in his tracks and turned back, "Did you want to say something to me, mother?"

Eiravati mumbled, "Vijayi Bhava, son...Vijayi Bhava..."(Victory to you, son.....Victory to you...)

Narasimha gave her a smile and turned back. He was gone. 'The moment for truth' as Trinethrini described it had passed. Now there was nothing left for Eiravati but to rue the consequences of her inaction.
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Two days later,
Mahishmati and Vijayapuri were gearing for war. Mrithyunjay had ridden relentlessly. He came across several companies of soldiers marching towards the borders. He ducked behind hedge rows of bushes when he espied soldiers passing by. He reached the war camp in Vijayapuri in the midst of a war council meeting.

Everyone was there; Shodasi Devi, Aditya Varma, General Rudra, General Samarth, a young girl whom he did not recognize, and behind her, the only love of his life, Bhagiradhi. He acknowledged their greetings before he took his place in their midst.

"Will Nachiyar and Aslam Khan not be joining us, mother?"

Shodasi shook her head, "It takes quite a while consolidating power in a newly-won kingdom. They are many dealings and behind-the-screen manoeuvers. They are dealing with the nobles of Ashwakootam. I will have to stay back as well. In all probability, General Rudra will also not come for the campaign. I think its time to decide who will be leading our army in Mahishmati."

"Maybe my uncle, Aditya Varma or General Samarth should lead in that case. They are the most experienced warriors in our side."

Both of them shook their heads in the opposite direction. They refused the offer. Aditya replied, "I know I should rise above familial ties. Both you and Gajendra are my brother's children. I can't lead our army against him." He continued, "However, you will have my full support and that of our army. Bhavani will also fight on your side. Except hurting Gajendra, I will do anything and everything that it takes to win."

General Samarth began, "I must refuse the honor. As the scion of Mahendra Baahubali, I thought our Princess would be leading our army."

Bhagiradhi neither assented nor dissented to this suggestion.

"I think we should announce to everyone that Mahendra Baahubali's daughter is back. This will make many people come over to our side", Shodasi Devi remarked.

"It has been a very long while since Bhagiradhi left Mahishmati. I don't know if this declaration will make any difference now", said Aditya Varma.

Bhavani said, "We tried our best to keep Gajendra from participating in this war but in vain. He will do everything possible to protect whom he thinks as his parents."

Bhagiradhi turned towards the senior Generals, "What would you suggest in this scenario?"

"Militarily speaking, the opposing side is weak. Their army strength has been depleted by half. Their king is fighting for his life. Their morale is down. We couldn't have chosen a better time to launch the offensive", General Samarth remarked.

"On the contrary, I wouldn't have chosen this moment to declare war on Mahishmati. The war to regain control over Vijayapuri and Ashwakootam has drained our strength considerably. I would advise waiting to recuperate from the impact of the previous war", said General Rudra.

Bhagiradhi turned towards Mrithyunjay and earnestly asked, "What do you say, Mrithyunjay?"

He cleared his throat and was about to speak when Bhagiradhi hurriedly excused herself. She rushed out and threw up. Shodasi Devi followed her outside. She pressed the vein near Bhagiradhi's wrist with her thumb. With a worried expression, she asked Bhagiradhi, "How long is it since you missed?"

Bhagiradhi spoke in hushed tones, "Four days."

Shodasi said, "You might be in the family way. Do you know what this means? You cannot lead from the front. Maybe we should just call off this war."

"This is Mahishmati's clarion call for justice. We cannot afford to ignore or postpone it indefinitely", Bhagiradhi replied. "If I have to lead even in these circumstances, I will do it. I don't want my progeny to feel that his mother was weak."

Mrithyunjay who followed both the ladies outside asked, "Is everything alright?"

Both the women looked confused. They weren't sure how much of their conversation Mrithyunjay had overheard. Bhagiradhi laughed away his fears saying, "Of course, Mrithyunjay. Everything is perfectly alright."

After they returned within, Mrithyunjay resumed, "Waging war or not, I leave it to the joint decision of the war council.  But if there is to be a war, I request two things. One, the Princess should stay out of this war. Two, I seek supreme command over our army."

"Mrithyunjay has proved time and again that he is worthy of the trust we reposed on him. I have no hesitation whatsoever in giving him supreme command over our army", Shodasi Devi replied sounding greatly relieved. She could not yet reveal Bhagiradhi's situation to everyone. But if she was in the family way, she couldn't permit Bhagiradhi to lead the army either.

Bhagiradhi said, "He is my brother, Mrithyunjay."

"True. But he stands on the opposing side", Mrithyunjay replied calmly.

"I don't blame him", she said. "He is right from wherever he stands."

"Neither do I. But that will not deter me from fighting him if it is my duty. Your love for your brother is your blind spot", Mrithyunjay said.

"I have lost so much in life, Mrithyunjay", Bhagiradhi's voice cracked under the strain of her emotions. "He is the last of my family that is left.

"I promise that Gajendra will not be personally hurt during any time in the war by anyone on our side."

"In that case, I believe I must trust you", Bhagiradhi said. She held up her hand for him to kiss, "But please take care of yourself, Mrithyunjay."

All the others smiled fondly at young couple before they silently dispersed to leave both of them alone.

Bhagiradhi cooed in his ear, "Have you ever thought it would be better to be married to someone who doesn't come with this complicated set of problems?"

"No. Everything that was yours was always mine. I have never learnt to see both apart."
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At the armory,
General Samarth was sharpening his blade. He sat thinking about the recent events. To say that he had been disappointed by Mrithyunjay's seeking supreme command over their army overriding the claims of the Princess was an understatement.

First, the hasty marriage; and now, this. He had always admired Mrithyunjay and his loyalty to the throne. But he was not so sure any more. The young man's aspirations and ambitions unsettled him. He was confused why none of the others questioned his motives. They had all agreed to his demands immediately.

While he was immersed in these thoughts, Mrithyunjay entered quietly and sat opposite to the man whom he fondly called Mama. He picked up a piece of cloth and started cleaning all his weapons. The silence between both men hung heavy like a double-edged sword.

Samarth cleared his throat, "I guess congratulations are in order. Your marriage and elevation of rank."

His voice stressed peculiarly when he uttered the words 'marriage', 'elevation' and 'rank'. Mrithyunjay put down the weapon he was cleaning, "I was waiting for you to ask. I know none of my actions made any sense to you."

"No sweet talking, Mrithyunjay. Let's get straight to the point. I thought you were loyal and could even give up your life for our king and his family. But now, I am not sure anymore", Samarth replied.

"The first, my marriage. There is no logic involved there. Both of us have loved each other for years. I could not run away from it anymore."

Mrithyunjay paused at this point. Samarth asked, "And the second?Ambition to become the proxy ruler?"

"I don't feel bad that you are asking me this. But I feel bad that after all these years together you know so little of me, Mama", said Mrithyunjay. "I overheard Maharani Shodasi and our Princess discussing if she might be in the family way? I was confused. I did not know any other way of protecting her and our yet unborn child."

Samarth hugged Mrithyunjay and apologized to him, "I am sorry. I misunderstood you. Now if you are free, let's discuss our war strategies."

Both men sat down and discussed about the upcoming war and how to deal with it.
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