The Wrath of Gammon

Disclaimer: This story is my humble attempt to write a fanfiction of the epic Mahabharata. My intention is not to hurt anyone's sentiment.

Aum Namah Shivay!!

Major Jayant Roy, SM is a fictitious character. Any similarity with any living person is merely a coincidence.

Chapter 2

Hastinapur, Dwapar Yuga

Dussasan POV

Fifteen days had been passed after we came back from Magadha. After our victory in the war, the might of Hastinapur in the politics of Aryavart increased a lot. Magadha and Chedi kingdom were now under our control. Jyesth Bhrata gave the order to imprison Jarasandha and Shishupal in a small palace inside the compound of Hastinapur royal palace. After we had returned from the war, Kakashri Vidura went to Panchal, along with Bhrata Vikarna to get the half-devtas along with their common wife...that Dark Draupadi.

Her beauty was literally inhuman, ethereal. It was like she didn't belong to this world. But my Jyesth Bhrata became an anomaly in her swyamvar. He even refused to look at her for once. After the vicious insult of Angraaj Karna by her, Jyesth took all of us and left the swyamvar. I remembered his words vividly.

"Dussasan, if you value your life, then stop looking at her. Get her outside of your mind right now."

I heaved a sigh. Getting her outside of my mind was really tough. Still, I must try this, because this is the order of my Jyesth Bhrata.

While thinking, I walked towards the main gate of the royal palace. I saw a small procession in front of our main gate. Our guards were talking with a horse rider leading the procession.

"What is going on here?" I walked to the gate, decided to check the matter. The horse rider also saw me coming towards them. He dismounted his horse and crossed his hands.

"Pranipat Rajkumar. My name is Jayatsen. I am the youngest son of Maharaja Jarasandha."

I replied to his greetings. Then I saw to Palanquins waiting outside. Jayatsen also looked at them.

"My two elder sisters came with me. They wanted to meet with Pitashri. Also, my elder brother sends his tributes for the Kuru kingdom. We have a group of emissaries with us from Pragjyotishpur. Maharaja Bhagadutta also sends his tributes for Rajkumar Duryodhana."

He ordered the soldiers accompanied him. They came in front of me with huge boxes. I curiously opened the lid of one box. It was filled with gold coins and valuable jewels.

"What are you doing, Putra Dussasan?" suddenly I heard a voice behind me. I turned my head and saw Kulguru Kripacharya walking towards us.

I crossed my hands and bowed to him. He blessed me and looked at the people. I briefed him about their intentions.

"Dussasan, you go to the palace and get your elder brother. Also, pass this news to Gangaputra too. I am taking them to the royal guest room for the time being. Send some of your brothers here to take the treasures into the royal treasury."

"As you wish." I quickly ran towards the palace. While walking through the corridor, I saw Bhrata Yuyutsu walking towards me. He also saw me and greeted.

"Yuyutsu, have you seen Jyesth Bhrata?"

"Yes, I saw him going to Mata Gandhari's room."

I quickly instructed him to gather some more of our brothers and to get the treasure in the treasury. Yuyutsu nodded and left. I walked towards Mata Gandhari's room.

When I entered the room, I saw Jyesth Bhrata was lying on the bed, his head resting on Mata's lap. Mata was ruffling his hair and humming some tunes. I smiled at them. My Jyesth Bhrata, who gave us the love of both Pitashri and Matashri, behaved like a child sometimes. Who would say that this man, who was lying with his head on his Mata's lap, was a fearsome warrior in the battlefield? It really pained me to break him out from this moment.

"Jyesth?" I called him with a soft voice.

"Go away Dussasan. Don't you see I am busy now?"

Mata now started laughing. Her melodious voice echoed in the room.

"Putra, the daytime is for working. You shouldn't waste this time sleeping. Bye the way, you are a grown man now. What will people say if they learn about you sleeping in your Mata's lap?"

"Which shastra said that Mata's lap has an age boundary for her son?" Jyesth Bhrata pouted.

Mata laughed again. Her blindfolded face was calm like a deep ocean. She playfully smacked Jyesth's head.

"Now you go, and do your work. This is my order."

"Alright, alright, I am going." Jyesth Bhrata grumbled. Then he looked at me.

"Now you tell me, what is this urgent matter that you have to disturb me?"

I somehow controlled my laughter.

"Jyesth, two groups of emissary came from Magadha and Pragjyotishpur. They came here with tributes for Hastinapur. Also, the daughters of Jarasandha came to visit their father. Kulguru took them to the royal guest room. He ordered me to get you and Pitamah."

Jyesth Bhrata stood up straight. In a moment, his face lost all childishness, and a hard, calculating expression replaced it.

"Dussasan, you go to Pitamah and give him this news. I am going to Pitashri. He should be present when we receive those tributes."

I bowed to him and walked towards Pitamah's room. I found him talking with Dronacharya. I bowed to them and gave them the news. Both of them were very much pleased after hearing the news.

"Gangaputra, with this victory, Kuru Kingdom will flourish. After the defeat of Magadha, the kingdoms allied with them, with surely try to ally themselves with Hastinapur."

"You are right, Acharya. But I am afraid of something else." Pitamah said, with furrowed eyebrows.

"What is it?"

"The politics of Aryavart is now changing rapidly. After the fall of Jarasandha, the main focus of power is shifted from eastern side to northern side. We will witness the great game of politics playing in front of us. It's time for the old players to step back, and new players will come and fill the place."

I curiously looked at Pitamah. It seemed like he was not speaking mere words. He was echoing the future. Then he stood up from his seat.

"Let's go. We should welcome our guests properly. Acharya, will you accompany us?"

Dronacharya nodded affirmatively. The three of us walked towards the royal assembly room. Pitashri got the news, and I saw him chatting with his courtiers. Jyesth Bhrata was already there, along with Kulguru Kripacharya. Mamashri Shakuni was also present there.

"I am proud of you, Putra Duryodhana.", Pitashri's face was glowing.

"With this victory of yours, I am proud to say that Hastinapur is now becoming the focal point of Aryavart. The power of Kuru Kingdom is now in its peak. We must use this situation fully."

Jyesth Bhrata stood up.

"Pitashri, I want to say something. We should send our emissaries to Chedi, Karusha and Vidarbha. I have the news that after Shishupal, his son Dristaketu is the new ruler of Chedi. But I can't understand one thing. Chedi kingdom hasn't sent any message to us despite knowing about the imprisonment of their king..."

Jyesth couldn't finish his word, because we all heard a shriek. A big hawk flew inside the room and it landed to Mamashri's neck. He looked at the bird for a moment and untied a small rolled piece of paper. He read the paper, and a big frown came into his face.

"What is it, Mamashri?" I asked him. Mamashri slowly looked at me. Then his eyes went towards Jyesth Bhrata who was looking at him.

"My spy from Chedi Kingdom sent this news. Dristaketu arranged the marriage of his sister, Karenumati with Nakul. He sent his sword to Chedi kingdom, and Devi Karenumati married to the sword. Do you know who took the sword from Kampilya to Shuktimati?"

"Who?" Jyesth Bhrata said, no, literally hissed like an angry king cobra.

"The Yadava Maharathi, Satyaki. Daruka, the charioteer of Vasudev Krishna himself drove Satyaki's chariot. According to the news, Rajkumari Karenumati will accompany the Pandavas while their way from Kampilya to Hastinapur."

I looked at Jyesth Bhrata, who was standing still. His eyes were glowing like two pieces of red, hot charcoal. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In a moment, his facial expression softened. The anger was now changed into a crooked grin.

"Well done, Sri Krishna. Well done indeed."

Then he turned towards Pitashri.

"Pitashri, the Chedis outsmarted us. But I know very well whose idea is this. We must send our emissaries to both Vidarbha and Karusha. We will give them the same deal as Magadha. Now, we should send some valuable gifts to both Madra and Trigarta. Maharaja Shalya and Maharaja Susharma went to war to help us. They didn't have to fight actually, because both Maharaja Bhishmaka and Dantavakra understood that they couldn't go to help Jarasandha. Let the Pandavas get back here. After that I want Mamashri to go to a king and convince him to ally himself with us, with accepting our terms."

Mamashri looked at him. He was not alone. Every single person presented in the room was doing the same.

"Who is this king, Putra?" Pitashri asked Jyesth Bhrata.

Jyesth looked at him. A cryptic smile was dancing into his lips.

"His name is Vasudev. Poundraka Vasudev."

So, this is the second chapter. 

In the previous chapter, some friends were asking about my updating schedule. I want to say that my updating schedule is one chapter per week...maximum ten days gap.

Shuktimati was the capital of Chedi Kingdom.

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