The Hall of Justice- Emperor Ashoka is giving alms to a row of bhikshus.

(Bhikshus- Buddhist Monks)

Aditya and the children, all dressed in robes, await their turn. Richly-attired noblemen sit awaiting an audience with the emperor. Bhojavarman is among them. Aditya's turn comes.

"Your Majesty, I have an humble request to make" said Aditya coming in front

"It's my friend Aditya, isn't it? I can never refuse you anything, Speak" the emperor replied

"These children have something to say to you. I will be grateful if you listen to them carefully" he said referring to Nakul, Laxman and Sheila

"Your Majesty, what I am going to say may shock you, but it's the truth. There is a conspiracy against you. One of your trusted man is involved in it." Nakul said

"What! Are you out of of your mind? All my men are completely trustworthy." Ashoka said not believing his statement

"Nakul is right, Your Majesty. We sneaked into this gentleman's house and overheard his conversation with his assistant." Laxman said trying to prove his point

"Yes, Your Majesty. He is planning to overthrow you and become emperor. I forgot the exact words though." Nakul said

"But I remember, Your Majesty. He said,'I will use Ashoka's own money to start a rebellion, and in a week I'll be Emperor! We will finish off this new religion of peace and begin the conquests again' Your spy at the vihara had sent the right information about the caravan." Sheila explained

"My sister thinks it sounds like a poem." Laxman said "That is why she remembers it so well"

Sheila recites the poem to them.

"That's a lot for a little girl to memorize" Emperor Ashoka praised "And who is this audacious gentleman?"

"Bhojavarman. His house has twelve pillars." Nakul said

"Bhoja is one of my most important nobles and these are serious accusations." Ashoka said "What proof do you have?"

"Proof?" Nakul said as the children look at each other

"Wait a minute! You are Jivaka's son, aren't you?" Emperor Ashoka said to Nakul as he nodded "Jivaka also mentioned Bhoja's name to the Senapati. How do I know it's not a plan to save Jivaka?

(Senapati- Army Commander)

"You could search Bhoja's house, Your Majesty. We heard him order his assistant Bappa to guard the treasure. All the stolen royal treasure is hidden somewhere in his house." Laxman said

"Mahamantri, will you call Bhoja here?" Emperor said to the minister

(Mahamantri- Chief Minister)

Bhoja enters the place and bows with folded hands.

"Your Majesty wishes to see me?" Bhoja said

"Yes, Bhoja. I have heard a lot about your wonderful palace. The twelve pilars are the talk of town. I wish to visit it tomorrow" Emperor Ashoka replied

"Of couse, Your Majesty. It will be a great honour" Bhoja said

"But before I visit any place, my guards have to be sure it's safe for me. So I'll have to send them there to search it." Ashoka said

"Search my house?" Bhoja panicked "You can't do it!"

"Why not?" Emperor Ashoka questioned

"Because.......I mean..........can't they search tomorrow? Bhoja said

"Why?" Ashoka said sternly "What have you hidden there? We'll search your palace now!"

"No!" Bhoja exclaimed

Bhoja pulls out a dagger and lunges at Ashoka. With lightning speed, Nakul snatched Aditya's begging bowl from his hand and aimed it at Bhoja's head as Laxman swinged Aditya's walking stick across Bhoja's legs. Bhoja fell to the ground with a moan. The guards surrounded him, put him in shackles and took him away. Jivaka came in limping in through the door. Nakul ran towards him.

"The children saved you, Jivaka, and me too. Your son will make a fine soldier. " Ashoka said "You all will be rewarded, of course. Just tell me what you wish to have most in the world and if I can, I'll get it for you."

"But we couldn't have done it without Aditya" Sheila said as she goes and hugs him

"I agree. Aditya, my friend, what would you like as a reward?" Ashoka asked

"Well, Your Majesty, Laxman just broke my walking stick and Nakul cracked the handle of the begging bowl. I could do with a new set of those." Aditya said

"Granted!" Ashoka said as he laughed

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