At Urumi Nachiyar's Headquarters,
Urumi Nachiyar gazed steadily at the two absconding youngsters standing in front of her, surrounded by her soldiers on all sides. She paused to allow them to speak. Her manner and gaze were quite inscrutable. It was like staring into a deep, bottomless pit.

The youngsters appeared to be harmless though their intentions and purpose for being here were questionable. She had sized up at first glance that they weren't who they claimed to be. She just wanted to reconfirm it, "So ....both of you are Lingam's niece and nephew?"

There was something in the manner of Nachiyar's questioning that reminded Narasimha of a giant mountain Python about to swallow it prey whole. This lady would lure them with her sweet and enticing words and later trap them. Not willing to give her that chance for oneupmanship, Narasimha did not speak anything. A silent staring contest ensued between him and Nachiyar.

Terribly unnerved by everything around her and eager to escape from this interrogation as soon as possible, Bhavani unwittingly caught Nachiyar's bait, "Yes, I am his sister's daughter and he is his elder brother's son."

Narasimha looked askance at his friend trying to catch her eye. Bhavani looked this way and that, evading his eye. Bhavani had been cursing herself ever since she witnessed the fate of Sambamurthy, the dead Overseer of Vijayapuri who had been left as food for the crows and vultures by this lady.

Bhavani had been scared out of her wits for the life of her friend. She should never have brought him here to Sankaleshwar where this lady's writ was law. She should have taken him to some other physician.

"Lingam has no siblings", Nachiyar mentioned in a cold and wry tone.

Bhavani spluttered, "What?....He has no..."

Narasimha snatched the Urumi from Nachiyar's hands in a lightening-quick move replicating the way he had seen the lady wielding the weapon. He pushed Bhavani behind him and stood shielding her as best as he could. Their game was up. The lady had seen through their subterfuge.

The brilliant rays of the sun filtered off the sleek and sharp edges of the metal, momentarily dazzling the guards and soldiers who were surrounding them. There were looks of utter disbelief and agitated whispers all around.

The weapon felt so easy and natural in his hands. It felt like holding his mother's hands. He looked up at it as he waited for the guards and soldiers to swoop in on them. He didn't know for how long he could fight and defend with a weapon he had never known. But if at all they had to die, he would die fighting and defending his friend.

Stuck by a sudden wave of inspiration, Bhavani shouted before either Narasimha or the soldiers could make their next move, "Mam, we actually came here to learn the Urumi from you. We're wannabe rebels."

Terribly amused by the events that were unfolding, Nachiyar held up her hands to stop the soldiers and guards, "Keep him there. But allow that girl to step forward towards me."

Narasimha stomped his foot in frustration as Bhavani stepped forward. Thinking upon her feet, Bhavani concocted a rather far-flung story to explain their presence in Nachiyar's camp.

"My friend is dumb. He lost his power of speech when his parents were murdered before his own eyes by Vijayamarthanda and his men. He grew up with vengeance in his heart and fire in his soul", she said.

"My girl! You really have such a flowery turn for language. 'Vengeance in his heart and fire in his soul'. Ha! Ha! What's your name?" Nachiyar turned towards the soldiers and guards, and ordered, "These youngsters are harmless."

"Bhavani. And thank you, Mam, for trusting us", Bhavani feeling terribly relieved.

"I never said I was. I merely said that both of you were harmless for all your bravado", Nachiyar replied. "I understand his desire for revenge going by your story. But where do you fit into all this?"

"My name is Bhavani. I am the daughter of the erstwhile king of Kunthala and the niece of Aditya Varma", Bhavani replied.

"So you are the Princess of Kunthala?"

"Yes, I was", said Bhavani nodding her head.

Nachiyar looked at Nararimha and said, "After listening to your friend, I have decided to give both of you a chance. But you must prove yourself worthy of being a rebel and learning the Urumi from me. I don't mentor undeserving protégés."

Narasimha humbly bowed before Nachiyar placing the Urumi at her feet. Bhavani followed suit and bowed. Nachiyar said, "Rise. Now it's time for your test. I want both of you to fill this pitcher with water before sunset.

It looked quite the easiest task. Bhavani was about to pick up the pitcher when Nachiyar cautioned, "You must use these bamboo baskets to fill water."

As both she and Narasimha ran downstream and upstream with the bamboo baskets, Bhavani realized what the true test actually was. Most of the water would trickle down by the time they reached. They had been running around for more than three hours. The midday sun was unforgiving. Everyone at Nachiyar's camp were having fun at their expense.

Bhavani's head started swimming due to dehydration and exhaustion. She clutched her forehead and sat down dejectedly. Narsimha sat beside her holding her hand trying to console her without talking. He hadn't forgotten that according to Bhavani's tale, he was 'dumb'.

"I am sorry, mate. This would have been a nice opportunity for you to learn about the reality of things in this empire. But I don't think we are going to do it", Bhavani sighed. She knew she had failed her friend big time.

Narasimha shrugged his shoulders to show that none of this mattered to him except her . Bhavani instantly cheered up. This set her thinking, "Something tells me we're approaching this whole test thing the wrong way."

Narasimha agreed with his gestures to what Bhavani said. His gaze fell upon the baskets filled to the brim with flowers stacked up near the cow-dung smeared wall of Nachiyar's cottage.

Jangamaiyya whom Nachiyar fondly called 'Aiyya' out of her respect for his advancing years remarked, "I think you are being too hard on those kids, Nachiyar. They are young, hot-blooded and impulsive. They might not have chosen wisely on how to meet you. But they seem to have their hearts in the right place. You shouldn't be setting them next to impossible tasks in order to prove themselves worthy of learning the Urumi."

"This test was more for the others in the camp who felt I was being rather soft on those youngsters. My instinct tells me those two young people are going to accomplish this 'next to impossible task'", Nachiyar said."Let's step outside this cottage and see how they are faring."

Bhavani and Narasimha were emptying water from their respective bamboo baskets. The pitcher started overflowing by the time Narasimha had finished pouring. Jangamaiyya clapped in admiration while Nachiyar wore a proud look as these two young people proved her conviction right.

Bhavani informed Nachiyar, "We used the bamboo baskets with the flowers instead of the empty ones to fill water."

Nachiyar patted both the youngsters, "I appreciate your enthusiasm for learning the Urumi. I expect to see both of you in the morning when I teach the other young people in my camp."

Bhavani and Narasimha took her leave. Once they were out of earshot, Nachiyar turned towards Jangamaiyya and informed, "Aiyya, I must go now. Except you, I would not have anyone else know about it. I trust to your wisdom and sagacity to take care of everything during my short absence from the camp."
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At a Secret Hideout in the Mountains of Udayagiri,
Aparaajitha and her troop had arrived at Vijayapuri using a secret underground tunnel across the Udayagiri Mountain Range connecting the kingdoms of Mahishmati and Vijayapuri. There was a passage similar to this connecting the kingdoms of Vijayapuri and Ashwakootam. These tunnels had been secretly dug during the reign of Shodasi Devi, the former queen of Vijayapuri and Aparaajitha's foster mother.

When Aparaajtha was about to sail forth to Mahishmati, her foster mother had divulged these details to her. This had helped Aparaajitha and her troop to cross the borders of Mahishmati without any further confrontation with Subahu's border security. After reaching this secret hideout, she secretly sent word to Urumi Nachiyar to meet her.

Aparaajitha welcomed Nachiyar, "My humble greetings to the brave lady chieftain of Sankaleshwar."

Nachiyar curtly acknowledged her greeting. Aparaajitha offered her a seat and refreshments. Nachiyar examined her surroundings intricately, taking in every minute detail, "I've practically lived here my whole life. But I have never come across this hideout."

"Yes, it was secretly built on Empress Shodasi Devi's orders", Aparaajitha replied. "I am Bhagiradhi, daughter of Mahendra Baahubali and the foster daughter of Shodasi Devi. I have come here seeking your help."

"Why should I or my clan help you or anyone who simply abandoned us to the dogs?" Nachiyar's implied reference was to Shodasi Devi who had abandoned her kingdom and not looked back for so many years. "For so long, we have been left to our own devices. And now you come to us citing your royal credentials and seeking help to reconquer your kingdom and seek revenge against your enemies. I am sorry. You must seek other avenues."

"I'm sorry that you and your clan had to fight against oppression and tyrrany all alone. My uncle, Aditya Varma has also waged a lone battle against Subahu for the sake of Kunthala. Though you haven't seen the struggle of your former queen, Shodasi Devi, with your own eyes; I must inform you that she has been building an army against Subahu and Vijayamarthanda all these years."

Aparaajitha paused a moment to examine the effect of her words on Nachiyar, "We have all been fighting for a common cause and against a common enemy but not unitedly. That is the reason why none of us have succeeded. Reconquest and revenge are the farthest from my mind. I am here because I also want to be a part of this struggle against injustice. I want to be the glue that unites everyone towards this common goal."

Nachiyar relaxed from the tough front she was putting up, "I didn't believe Amma when she told me how good you were. Now I have seen for myself. I and my clan are behind you Princess Bhagiradhi. We are friends and allies from this very moment."

Recognition dawned upon Aparaajitha that Nachiyar must have already met Shodasi Devi, "Is Amma here?" Her eyes started welling up with tears of happiness at the mention of her mother.

"No, Princess. I didn't deem it judicious to bring her with me at the present moment. Times are turbulent. But your mother sends you her love and regards. I will explain our current war strategy and plans in detail. God willing, we will succeed in overthrowing this evil regime before the eve of Rama Navami."

Nachiyar unfurled several maps and war strategy action plans and started discussing them with Aparaajitha, "Princess I want you to commit all of this to your memory now before I burn them."
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