In the palace,
Eiravati lay huddled in the arms of Narasimha who sat beside her patting her back. Her pale face was accentuated by the wet lines of tears than ran down her cheeks; red and drooping eyes that sought refuge and strength in her young son's. Kamaroopi sat opposite her unmoving like a marble statue. None of the three spoke anything to each other. A dense cloud of gloom had settled over the entire palace.

The royal physician issued out of Subahu's chamber, "I've cleaned and treated Maharaj's wounds to the best of my ability. The tips of the weapon were tinted with poison. The poison had started spreading throughout Maharaj's body before I could administer its antidote. This night will be most crucial."

He explained the medicines and herbs that had to be applied on the wounds to Eiravati. Narasimha thanked the physician for his services. After the physician left, Narasimha turned to his mother and grandmother and said, "I've summoned an emergency council of ministers and generals now."

"Did you know this whole while that something was amiss, Narasimha?" The Rajamata asked breaking her silence. Narasimha nodded in the affirmative. Kamaroopi lifted her right hand and left an indelible mark upon his left cheek. The tips of her fingers were etched upon it. The noise resounded through the empty chamber.  He did not move. He stood before her with a bent head and folded hands.

Eiravati sprang before Narasimha shielding him, "No, Rajamata. Not on my son. You can take out your frustrations elsewhere."

"He is responsible for everything. Your husband is fighting for his life because of him", she shouted.

"My son respects elders. But it doesn't mean I will stand by and let him be blamed for what is not his fault. Everything is happening because of you. You drove your son down this path. From his childhood till now. If only you had loved your son. But then he was your shame, wasn't he?"

Kamaroopi raised her hand to strike Eiravati, "Insolent woman! You!"

Narasimha came and stood before his mother rising up to his full height. He caught Kamaroopi's eye and stared directly into her eyes. After a minute, Kamaroopi's eyes fell and she stormed off.

He turned to face his mother, "What were you telling to grandmother?"

"I will tell you everything, son. But not now. Go and meet the ministers and generals. You need to take care of our people, your father and the kingdom. Everyone is looking up to you for guidance. Kingdoms descend into anarchy in such situations. Take charge", she exhorted him.
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At the council,
"Are the people safe?" Narasimha asked.

"Yes, Sire. For now, you could possibly say. Athikay is dead. His accomplices have fled. The king is still alive", one of the ministers spoke. "The coup has been foiled."

"What do you imply? Be clear", Narasimha roared.

One of the generals stood up, "I won't beat about the bush. The situation is grave. Kunthala has already declared its independence. Our military garrison at Kanchu Kota has been entirely destroyed in a major fire accident. And..."

"What?" Narasimha asked.

"I believe Vijayapuri and Ashwakootam have also been captured by our enemies", he completed.

Just then a messenger arrived at the court. He handed over a scroll. One of the ministers read out the message,

"Vijayamarthanda has been defeated. Ashwakootam and Vijayapuri rightfully belong to us now. Subahu, you have usurped what was not yours. You stooped to duplicity and wrong means to conquer Mahishmati. Your crimes against humanity and the people of Mahishmati are countless. You heaped unnecessary war after war upon the people. You have failed to dispense justice as a ruler. I, Bhagiradhi, daughter of Mahishmati and scion of the Mahishmati dynasty hold you accountable on all these counts. Subahu, leave Mahishmati with your family and go away. I give you three days time. If you do not leave, prepare yourself for war by the daybreak of the fourth day."

The messenger departed after delivering his message. The entire court fell silent for a moment. Everyone was crestfallen. They all looked up with eager eyes to listen to what Narasimha had to say.

Narasimha began, "I won't pretend everything is alright in Mahishmati. There are so many inequities. Those who have to protect the people have been preying upon them. People have been suffering due to hunger; due to shortage of food, clothing and proper housing; due to constant wars and internal strife. We have all fallen short. We have betrayed the trust of our people."

All the ministers and generals bent their heads in shame. Narasimha fearlessly continued, "Parts of the empire have drifted apart from us. There is no way we can bring them back together at the moment. Our king is fighting between life and death. We could all fold up and accept defeat."

He gave a pause to his tirade at this juncture. A minister weakly agreed, "What you say is very true, Prince Narasimha. After doing so much that is wrong, the least we could do is give up."

"Yes, we should give up", said Narasimha, addressing the council. "We should give up our despondence; our ineptitude; our corruption; our avarice; our cowardice. If we vacate the throne, it doesn't necessarily mean that our people are going to fare better. I will stand my ground. Who will stand with me?"

His entire council of ministers and generals declared, "Come what may, we will stand with you, Sire!"
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Near the Patalaganga falls,
The military check post at Peepli near the eight crossroads junction was unmanned. Mrithyunjay and all the prisoners of war who had escaped from Kanchu Kota did not encounter any further opposition. They safely reached the foothills near the Patalaganga falls. This was one of the strongholds of the rebels in Mahishmati.

Smoke rose up in upward spirals. Sanga Amma, Katyayani Varma and the other women were overseeing the preparations for food. The wounds of the prisoners were being cleaned and treated by the local quacks and physicians who had been summoned in huge numbers. Their stomachs growled at the smell of rice and vegetable stew boiling and simmering in the earthen pots.

Sanga Amma was telling one of the women, "Keep stirring or the bottom of the pot will be burnt. Our heroes have returned home at last. This should be a feast befitting their bravery."

"Yes, Amma. Look at Katyayani here. I think we should spare her from cooking today. Her attention is somewhere else", the woman joked.

Kathyayani Varma averted her eyes and smiled. Her voice tinkled like the gently tolling bells tied to the neck of a cow. She playfully pinched her companion before proceeding to stir the pot in front of her. But her eyes and ears were really seeking someone else. Her feet were yearning to run to her son.

"We can't blame her for it, can we? When a son accomplishes the kind of deeds Mrithyunjay has done, a mother cannot contain the pride in her heart", Sanga Amma replied.

"Amma, you are an inspiration to all of us. You brought up our king, Mahendra to be the warrior that he was", Katyayani remarked.

"Motherhood is such a wonderful thing. You give your child good principles as a mother. The child will grow up to do all the rest himself. I don't think I did anything extraordinary", Sanga Amma modestly deferred.

"Very true, Amma", Katyayani agreed. "When the foundation is strong, the construction stands strong."

All the women shouted, "To motherhood!"

Sanga and Katyayani joined, "To motherhood!"
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