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 34

Mathura, Dwapar Yuga

Arjun POV

I was standing in my room in the royal palace of Mathura, a room which I was sharing with my newlywed wife, the sister of Madhav, the one and only Subhadra. I was thinking about the incidents happened in the previous two days. How Madhav came to my room and cryptically ordered me to abduct her sister before Mamashri Shakuni arriving here and officially talked about the marriage of Subhadra and Duryodhana. How he instructed me that Subhadra should held the reins of the chariot. After the news of our escapade reached to the ear of the Yadavas, they got angry and if Madhav didn't talk some sense to them, I could've seen myself fighting against them. But thanks to Madhav, this drastic situation had averted.

Mahamahim Balrama welcomed us with open arms. But I was shocked after looking at Duryodhana's face. His face had a cryptic smile, similar to Madhav. After Mamashri and Dussasan reached there, they got angry, but one look from Duryodhana managed them to become silent. He had an iron grip on his brothers and on his uncle too.

A few moments later, a maidservant entered the room. She bowed at me and informed that Madhav is waiting for me in the garden. I quickly became ready and walked to the garden. But I was not alone there. Duryodhana was standing there too. He probably heard my footsteps, because I saw him turning at me. His eyes met mine for a moment.

"Half knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge. Half truth is more dangerous than total lie." He spoke in a low voice. I looked at him curiously.

"What are you saying?"

"This is something that both you and your newlywed wife should remember. I need to tell this to someone else too. But tell me one thing. What will happen when Panchali finds out about your second marriage? The fire born princess may try to burn you alive...isn't it?"

I was silent. Really, I was afraid about this situation. Suddenly, I heard that voice which washed out all the tension from my mind.

"Rajkumar, you shouldn't jest with such important matter."

We both turned around and saw him standing, with that deep and beautiful smile on his lips. I quickly crossed my hands to him and bowed my head.

"Pranipat, Madhav."

Madhav slowly walked towards us. He had a small wooden box in his hands. He stopped in front of Duryodhana.

"This is for you. I hope you will like it."

Duryodhana took the box and opened it. I took a glance at it. It had brown coloured seeds in it.

"Thank you, Sri Krishna. Now, please allow me to leave."

"No, Rajkumar, I want to talk to both of you. Hastinapur is facing problems now, and it need both of you to counter the problem. Check that box again."

Duryodhana looked at Madhav and then slowly opened the lid again. His eyes slowly went to the backside of the lid and stayed there for sometimes. His facial expression became hard for a moment.

"So be it then." The words came behind gritted teeth. Madhav looked at me and then started explaining. I was listening with shock.

"It means, after the fall of Magadha, the former allies of Jarasandha are again regrouping against us. Poundrak and Shalva are together now, hatching a conspiracy. They now have Kichaka of Matsya kingdom with them. They are trying to encircle us from both sides. Now before they can take any steps against us, we need to take proper steps to protect Hastinapur."

Duryodhana was silently standing beside me. But I could surely tell that inside his mind, he was forming strategies.

"We should get back to Hastinapur." He said in a low voice. I couldn't help myself but agreeing with him. But the thought of leaving Madhav was enough to fill my heart with sadness. But Madhav smiled at me again, which acted as a cool salve on my mind.

"He is right, Partha, both of you should get back now. You need all your might together. Not only Hastinapur, but the whole Aryavart is now standing in front of a crucial time. Dharma and Adharma are standing in front of each other and a confrontation is inevitable."

"There is no clear cut line, Sri Krishna. I will make sure of that. Everything will become grey, everything." Duryodhana's snake like hissing entered in my ears. Sometimes, I couldn't understand his words. But his words weren't gibberish of a madman, as much as I understand him.

"By the way Partha, two days ago, Daruka went to Kampilya and gave your brothers this good news. Also, he came back with good news too. There was a small misunderstanding happened between Maharaja Drupad and Maharaja Hiranyavarman. But all of these are now resolved too. Devi Shikhandini...no, Rajkumar Shikhandi becomes the bridge between the two kingdoms and strengthens their relationship."

"Rajkumar Shikhandi? Who is he?"

"You will find out soon, Partha."

I turned my head and saw my cousin. I was astonished to see the smile in his lips. That smile was cruel, filled with hatred and murderous intent. It felt like I was not looking at a man, but an ocean of hatred. His lips moved a bit, it seemed like he want to say something, but he stopped himself. He gave Madhav a small nod and walked away. We both looked at his passing form.

"When you reach Hastinapur, I want you to keep an eye on him, Partha. There is a possibility for some undesirable events...some even bloody events too. You must stop the unnecessary bloodshed. Because, I will say it again, this is the time for Kauravas and Pandavas must stay together, or else..."

His voice became deep, and that deep ocean like eyes focused on the sky. A few moments later, he looked at me and placed his right hand on my shoulder.

"You do not have to worry about Panchali. Now go and start getting ready for your journey. Time is running by, and it won't wait for anyone."

I crossed my hands and bowed to my Sakha. Then I walked towards my room, preparing for my journey to Hastinapur. While walking, I saw Duryodhana, who was standing in the balcony and talking to Mamashri Shakuni and Dussasan. They were speaking in low voice, but I believed that I heard the word 'Trigarta' once. They nodded briefly to me, and I replied and entered into my room. We all had a long journey ahead of us.

So, this is chapter 34. Please read, vote and comment.

To all my readers, Subha Mahalaya and Subha Navaratri.

Let the blessings of Mata Durga fall on all of us.