The Udayagiri Mountain Range was like a belt that girdled the kingdoms of Mahishmati, Vijayapuri and Ashwakootam. The first few mountains of the range came under the jurisdiction of Mahishmati. Most of the mountains of the range came under Vijayapuri while a few were situated in Ashwakootam. It was a very important and strategic landmark. There were several passes across these mountain ranges.

The temple of Goddess Kali in which Mrithyunjay's and Aparaajitha's marriage took place was situated in a subterranean cave in the third mountain of the Udayagiri Mountain Range. There were hardly any major villages or settlements near this mountain. Peepli near the eight crossroads junction was the nearest town of importance.

Forests of sal trees could be found in abundance on these mountain ranges. These forests were home to a vast variety of flora and fauna. Wild animals like elephants, tigers, leopards and bears abounded in plenty in this rocky terrain. Several species of deer like barasingha, sambar, chital were found in huge numbers on these mountains.

It was a decidedly inhospitable and dangerous terrain. Even the priest who officiated Mrithyunjay's and Aparaajitha's marriage had returned pretty soon to his quarters. In a way, it was good for Aparaajitha and her retinue as they would not be disturbed by the prying and curious eyes of people.

There was an open grassland outside the cave. A portion of the grassland had been cleared in order to set up temporary encampments for the night. Huge bonfires had been lit all around the camp to improve visibility and to keep away wild animals. The clanging of pots and pans as cooking commenced and smoke emanated gave a very homely and habitable feel to these desolate mountains.

"I hope I am not invading the privacy of the newly married couple", Malli happily chirped. She passed two plates with food for Mrithyunjay and Aparaajitha. "I know the hour is pretty late. But it took all this while for the food to cook."

"Of course not, Malli. I and Mrithyunjay were just gazing at the stars and discussing our dreams for Mahishmati", Aparaajitha said.

"Did you tell him about that scroll given by the dead man?" Malli asked.

"No, I forgot all about that caught up as I was with the day's events."

"I just hope Annapoorna Amma doesn't make a fuss when she gets to know about this marriage. But then, she has always favored Mrithyunjay for you", Malli remarked. "And what about your parents, Mrithyunjay? Will they be happy or will they be shocked?"

The bemused faces of the newly wedded couple told Malli that they hadn't discussed anything at all about the future, "Well...well, everything will sort itself out."

When Malli left them both in solitude, both Aparaajtha and Mrithyunjay were surprised at how hastily both of them had married without devoting the least bit of thought towards the future, "What are we going to do, Mrithyunjay? Will your parents like me as your bride?"

"I wonder if Annapoorna Amma finds me worthy of your hand. And what was that scroll Malli was talking about?" Mrithyunjay pondered.

"It is this strange message. I don't know what to make out of it. The man was escaping from a place called Kanchu Kota. That was what I overheard the leader of the caravan tell his assistant. From whatever I heard and saw, it appears to be a horrific place", Aparaajitha explained. "Shall I read the scroll?"

The Scroll-:
This is the true story of Mahishmati written with our blood. We do not want this story to die with us. We want it to go beyond the fortress of lies, the wall of misinformation and disambiguation, crossing the valley of death. We all want this story to live.

2.5 yojanas north of the eight crossroads junction near the town of Peepli, in a secret subterranean cave in the third mountain of the Udayagiri Mountain Range with the following co-ordinates (There is a graphic drawing of the co-ordinates at this point in the message); several duplicate documents from the Secret Documents of Mahishmati have been hidden beneath the trident before Mother Kaali's statue.

Several of these original documents were stolen by the spy Saket who sold it to the Kalakeyas. So, they have been duplicated again and preserved here for the sake of posterity. I have also supplemented whatever I know about the rest of the details in my narrative. Please read. They will give you the answers to all your questions-Bhairava Varma.

"And there is one even more important thing. The whole scroll has been written with blood." Aparaajtha sniffed the scroll to reconfirm it to herself.

Mrithyunjay's ears pricked up when he heard the name mentioned at the end of the scroll, "And what was the name written at the end of the scroll?"

"Bhairava Varma..."

Mrithyunjay collapsed on hearing the name, "That is my father!"

"What?"

Aparaajitha caught hold of his drooping shoulders and hugged him tight, "You are our strength, Mrithyunjay. Please don't lose hope. We are near the very cave your father mentions in his scroll. We should find these secret documents."

"Yes, you are right. Let's find these secret documents. My father was the Keeper of Secrets. So it must be very important if he took such a big risk to pass on this message."
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Near the Eight Crossroads junction at Peepli,
Narasimha had been missing since several days. Simultaneously, the truth about Aparaajitha's deception as the Princess of Suvarnadweepam had been discovered. King Ranadeep had testified against her. Mrithyunjay had also been deposed from his position as the Captain of the Suras. It was suspected that both Aparaajitha and Mrithyunjay could have had a hand in the disappearance of the young prince. A kingdom-wide search had been ordered. Subahu and Vijayamarthanda were personally supervising the search.

The captain of the search party reported, "The imposters had set up camp near the cave in the third mountain of the Udayagiri range. When we sent a reconnaissance party, we found out that they were merely escaping from Mahishmati and that they had no hand in the disappearance of our prince. We launched an attack on them after reassuring ourselves that Prince Narasimha wasn't in the party. Ferocious and furious fighting broke out in the grassland where they had set up camp. They retaliated and retreated into the cave. We closed off the entrance of the cave with huge boulders and stationed several soldiers outside."

"You acted in a very efficient manner, Officer. You will be promoted for your diligence and swift action", Subahu said. "Keep the search on for the Prince. Word should not leak outside that the Prince is missing. Try investigating other avenues and possibilities. Did Athikay or Vijayamarthanda report anything?"

The man shook his head in the negative before he departed. Subahu sighed. The search had gone cold once again. They had been pursuing the wrong suspects all along. For the first time in his life, Subahu felt utterly weak and helpless. He felt a giant spider web closing in upon him and throttling all his senses. What he was undergoing at the present moment was worse than death.

"Narasimha, where are you?" Subahu muttered. "You, who could defeat me; it couldn't be something ordinary that is keeping you away. I know you are in danger. I can sense it but I can do nothing. Come back, son. Your father needs you."
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At the Medical Dispensary at Sankaleshwar,
The old physician's friend informed Bhavani, "I have already begun the treatment. Your friend will survive. He has a very strong will power. He will gain consciousness in a few hours. However, it will take two more days for his complete recovery. Please make yourself comfortable till then."

Bhavani assiduously thanked the physician. He put her at ease telling that he had just done his duty. He duly finished explaining about the medicines to be given, in what quantities, time intervals, the diet restrictions to be observed, and additional care to be taken.

Bhavani hung onto each and every word from the physician's mouth. After the physician had departed, Bhavani walked to the couch in which Narasimha was resting. She took his hands in hers and silently stared at his recumbent figure . She checked his body temperature again and again. It was almost becoming a compulsive reaction.

She adjusted the pillow beneath his neck and wiped his face clean with a wet cloth. She continued her vigil beside his bed. A few hours had elapsed. He started stirring. Bhavani heaved a sigh of relief. She had done her duty. She rose up to go and inform the physician that his patient was about to regain consciousness.

Narasimha held on to her hand tightly refusing to let go of it. She jerked away her hand  rather vehemently. His eyes flickered as he implored, "I am sorry, Bhavani. I never meant to deceive you or any of my friends. I was just following my father's words."

She stilled the throbbing pulse of anger that ran through her at Subahu's mention with very great difficulty, "We will talk about all this after a few days. Now just rest and get well soon."

Narasimha relaxed back on the couch. This meant that Bhavani had forgiven him for his deception. He had a nagging feeling at the back of his mind that something was seriously troubling his friend. She wasn't confiding in him or talking to him like usual. A huge distance had cropped up between both of them. The reason for this however seemed to elude him.

The next few days passed in a haze. Bhavani withdrew from his chamber ever since he regained consciousness. He rarely ever got to see her. Even when he inquired about her from the physician, he simply replied that she was busy. He was very hurt though he tried not to show it. He couldn't believe that Bhavani was so busy that she had no time to spare for her convalescing friend.

The physician however told him how Bhavani had moved heaven and earth to bring him back from the jaws of death. Her actions were becoming more and more inexplicable now. As soon as he was strong enough, he would seek his answers.

Narasimha had made a speedy recovery. The physician had deemed that he was fit enough to leave his chamber and have a small and light walk in the garden adjoining the dispensary. The bright colors of the garden had brightened up his despondent mood. He took a turn or two in the garden. He was about to return to his chamber when he perceived Bhavani in the far corner of the garden, completely lost in thought.

She hadn't noticed his presence. Tears were overflowing from her eyes. She continued completely unmindful of them. She occasionally blew her nose. Nothing seemed to lift up her mood of despondence.

Narasimha tentatively began a conversation, "It is a beautiful day, isn't it? One cannot be so sad in such beautiful surroundings."

She was apparently startled by his sudden appearance. She tried to ignore his presence. She turned back to go in.

"Why were you crying?" Finding no success in indirect methods, he directly questioned her.

She stopped in her tracks, "Of what concern is it to you?"

"Every concern in the world. You are my friend."

"I was but I longer am!" She said pouring all her anger and acrimony into this single utterance.

The vehemence of her anger shook him but he tried not to show it outside, "If it is for that silly reason that I hid the truth about myself then..."

She hastily interrupted him, "It makes no difference to me that you hid the truth about your identity except that it informed me I could no longer continue being friends with you."

Narasimha absolutely uncomprehending, "What difference would it make whose son I am? When you could be my best friend while I was a common merchant's son, why can't  you be my friend if I am a King's son?"

"I would still have been your friend even if you were a pauper's son. But there cannot be any friendship between Subahu's son and me."

"But why?" He asked.

"Because you are your father's son and I am my father's daughter!" She had schooled her sweet, little face into a very set and resolute mould.

"I don't know..." He had a deeply troubled expression. He did not know how to react to all this misplaced anger and hatred.

"But I know and I will tell you all today. You've grown up on lies. Your father's empire is an empire built on lies and deceit. Its very foundation rests on thousands and thousands of human carcasses. I lost my parents, I lost my family, I lost my Kunthala....all because of you and your father. Everyone who dared to question him like my uncle paid the price with their lives or got caught in a fate worse than death in the Kanchu Kota. I was the Princess of Kunthala but I am no better than a nomadic waif today. Who do you think is responsible for all this? Your family. After knowing all this, can you blame me for hating you?"

"I perfectly understand your anger, Bhavani. But I think there must be some misunderstanding. I know my father."

"You don't know your father, Narasimha!" Bhavani spat out. "I knew from the beginning it was useless to convince you. Why would you trust some random stranger?"

"You aren't some random stranger, Bhavani", Narasimha said, extremely hurt by his friend's aspersions.

"I am afraid after today we are random strangers to each other!"
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