Parvateshwar smiled. ‘Yes, My Lord.’

‘Speaking of carefree and capricious, where is Anandmayi?’

‘I think the Princess is with Uttanka, My Lord. She keeps going to the practice room with him. Perhaps they are perfecting some other dance moves.’

‘Hmm.’

Parvateshwar kept looking at the river.

‘She does dance well, doesn’t she?’ asked Shiva.

‘Yes, My Lord.’

‘Exceptionally well, actually.’

‘That would be a fair comment to make, My Lord.’

‘What do you think of Uttanka’s dancing skills?’

Parvateshwar looked at Shiva and then towards the river once again. ‘I think there is scope for improvement, My Lord. But I’m sure Princess Anandmayi will teach him well.’

Shiva smiled at Parvateshwar and shook his head. ‘Yes, I’m sure she will.’

‘The Neelkanth and his entourage left for Branga a month back, Your Highness,’ said the Naga Lord of the People to the Queen.

They were sitting in her private chambers.

‘Good to see you focus once again. I’ll send a warning message to King Chandraketu.’

The Naga nodded. He was about to say something more, but kept silent. Instead, he looked out of the window. From this position in Panchavati, he could see the calm Godavari river in the distance.

‘And?’ asked the Queen.

‘I’d like your permission to go to Kashi.’

‘Why? Do you want to open trade relations with them?’ asked the Queen, highly tickled.

‘She did not go with the Neelkanth.’

The Queen stiffened.

‘Please, Your Highness. This is important to me.’

‘What do you hope to achieve, my child?’ asked the Queen. ‘This is a foolhardy quest.’

‘I want answers.’

‘What difference will that make?’

‘It will give me peace.’

The Queen sighed. ‘This quest will be your downfall.’

‘It will complete me, Your Highness.’

‘You are forgetting that you have duties towards your own people.’

‘I first have a duty unto myself, Mausi.’

The Queen shook her head. ‘Wait till the Rajya Sabha is over. I need you here to ensure that the motion to support the Brangas is not defeated. After that you can go.’

The Naga bent low and touched the Queen’s feet. ‘Thank you, Mausi.’

‘But you will not go alone. I don’t trust you to take care of yourself. I will come with you.’

The Naga smiled softly. ‘Thank you.’

Shiva’s entourage was just a week’s distance from the gates of Branga. The ships had maintained a punishing schedule. Parvateshwar and Divodas had taken a clipper to the lead boat in order to confer with Drapaku about the protocol on reaching the gates. Parvateshwar made it very clear that the Lord Neelkanth did not want any bloodshed. Divodas was to complete the negotiations necessary in order to enter the restricted Branga territory. He felt it would be impossible to enter without showing the Neelkanth, for the Brangas too believed in the legend. Parvateshwar advised him to try and enter without having to resort to that.

Divodas was left with Drapaku so they could plan the flag display as well, while Parvateshwar returned to the central vessel. He wanted to take the Lord Mahadev’s advice on how he would like the Branga border guards handled. Parvateshwar did not want to let his guard down and yet, given the delicacy of the mission, it was imperative that the Brangas did not view the five ship fleet as a threat.

His rowers tied the cutter to the main ship and he climbed up to the aft section. He was taken aback to see Anandmayi there. She had her back to him. Six knives in her hand. The standard target board at the wall had been removed and the expert board, much smaller in size, had been hung up there. Bhagirath and Uttanka were standing a short distance away.

Uttanka turned towards Anandmayi. ‘Remember what I’ve taught you, Princess. No breaks. A continuous shower of knives.’

Anandmayi rolled her eyes. ‘Yeeesss Guruji. I heard you the first time. I’m not deaf.’

‘I’m sorry, Your Highness.’

‘Now stand aside.’

Uttanka moved away.

Parvateshwar standing at the back was dumbfounded by what he saw. Anandmayi was standing correctly. Like a trained warrior. With her feet slightly spread in a stable posture. Her right hand relaxed to her side. The left hand holding the six knives from the hilt, positioned close to her right shoulder. Her breathing, light and calm. Perfect.

Then she raised her right hand. And in a dramatically rapid action, pulled the first knife from her left hand and threw. Almost simultaneously, she reached for the second knife and released it. And then the third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

Anandmayi’s movements were so flawless that Parvateshwar did not even see the target. He stood there admiring her action. His mouth open in awe. Then he heard Uttanka and Bhagirath applauding. He turned towards the board. Every knife had hit dead centre. Perfect.

‘By the great Lord Ram!’ marvelled Parvateshwar.

Anandmayi turned with a broad smile. ‘Parva! When did you get here?’

Parvateshwar, meanwhile, had found something else to admire. He was staring at Anandmayi’s bare legs. Or so it seemed.

Anandmayi shifted her weight, relaxing her hips to the side saucily. ‘See something you like, Parva?’

Parvateshwar whispered softly, pointing with a bit of wonder at the scabbard hanging by Anandmayi’s waist. ‘That is a long sword.’

Anandmayi’s face fell. ‘You really know how to sweep a woman back onto her feet, don’t you?’

‘Sorry?’ asked Parvateshwar.

Anandmayi just shook her head.

‘But that is a long sword,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘When did you learn to wield that?’

Wielding a sword that was significantly longer than a warrior’s arm length was a rare skill. Difficult to master. But those who mastered it, dramatically improved their chances of a kill.

Bhagirath and Uttanka had now walked up close.

Bhagirath answered, ‘Uttanka has been teaching her for the last month, General. She is a quick student.’

Parvateshwar turned back to Anandmayi, bowed his head slightly. ‘It would be my honour to duel with you, Princess.’

Anandmayi raised her eyebrows. ‘You want to duel with me? What the hell do you think you’re trying to prove?’

‘I’m not trying to prove anything, Your Highness,’ said Parvateshwar, surprised at Anandmayi’s belligerence. ‘It would just be a pleasure to duel with you and test your skills.’

‘Test my skills? You think that’s why I’m learning the art of warfare? So that you can test me and prove yourself superior? I already know you’re better. Don’t exert yourself.’

Parvateshwar breathed deeply, trying to control his rising temper. ‘My lady, that’s not what I was trying to imply. I was just...’

Anandmayi interrupted him. ‘For a sharp man, you can be remarkably stupid sometimes, General. I just don’t know what I was thinking.’

Bhagirath tried to step in. ‘Umm listen, I don’t think there is a need to...’

But Anandmayi had already turned and stormed off.