Shiva and Parvateshwar ran to Drapaku. He was bleeding profusely, barely alive.

Shiva turned back and shouted, ‘Get Ayurvati! Quickly!’

The sun still had a few hours of life left. Sati was on the school terrace, supervising the making of improvised bows and arrows. The Kashi soldiers were simply incapable of taking on the lions from close quarters. Neither were they skilled at shooting arrows. Sati was hoping that as long as they fired some in the general direction, the arrows might find their mark.

Sati double-checked the pile of wood near the staircase. The soldiers had replenished the stock and it appeared as though they would be able to last the night without running out.

She hoped to kill some members of the pride from the safety of the terrace. If fortune favoured her, she hoped to kill the liger and finish the key source of the menace. A few days of watch thereafter might solve the problem once and for all. After all, there were only seven animals. Not a very large pride.

She looked up at the sky, praying softly that nothing would go wrong.

Chapter 15

The Lord of the People

The sun was rapidly descending into the horizon, the twilit sky a vibrant ochre. The Suryavanshi camp was a hub of feverish activity.

Bhagirath was supervising the key task of the securing of the prisoners. Using bronze chains from the ship, Parshuram’s men had been tied up, hand and foot, and forced to squat in a line in the centre of the sandbank. The chains had been hammered into stakes deep in the ground. As if that wasn’t enough, another chain ran through their anklets, effectively binding them to each other. The Suryavanshi soldiers were stationed all around the prisoners. They would maintain a constant vigil. Escape was impossible for Parshuram and his men.

Divodas walked up to Bhagirath. ‘Your Highness, I’ve inspected the ship.’

‘And?’

‘It will take at least six months to repair.’

Bhagirath cursed. ‘How the hell do we get back?’

At the other end of the beach, ayuralay tents had been set up. Ayurvati and her medical unit were working desperately to save as many as they could, both the Suryavanshis and the bandits. They would succeed with most. But Ayurvati was presently in a tent where there was no hope.

Shiva was on his knees, holding Drapaku’s hand. Ayurvati knew nothing could be done. The injuries were too deep. She stood at the back, with Nandi and Parvateshwar. Drapaku’s father, Purvaka, was kneeling on the other side, looking lost once again.

Drapaku kept opening his mouth, trying to say something.

Shiva bent forward. ‘What is it, my friend?’

Drapaku couldn’t speak. Blood continued to ooze from his mouth. He turned towards his father and then back to Shiva. The movement caused his heart to spurt, spilling some more blood out of his gaping chest onto the sheet covering him.

Shiva, his eyes moist, whispered, ‘I will take care of him, Drapaku. I will take care of him.’

A long breath escaped Drapaku. He had heard what he needed to. And he let himself die, at peace finally.

A gasp escaped Purvaka’s lips. His head collapsed on his son’s shoulders, his body shaking. Shiva reached out and touched Purvaka gently on his shoulders. Purvaka looked up, his forehead covered with his son’s brave blood, tears flowing furiously. He looked at Shiva, devastated. The proud, confident Purvaka was gone. It was the same broken man that had met Shiva at Kotdwaar in Meluha. His only reason to stay alive had been brutally hacked away.

Shiva’s heart sank. He couldn’t bear to look at this Purvaka. And then, rage entered his heart. Pure, furious rage!

Shiva rose.

To Parvateshwar’s surprise, Nandi lunged forward, grabbing Shiva. ‘No, My Lord! This is wrong.’

Shiva angrily pushed Nandi aside and stormed out. He began running to where Parshuram had been tied up.

Nandi was running behind, still screaming. ‘No, My Lord! He’s a prisoner. This is wrong.’

Shiva was running even harder. As he came close to where Parshuram had been tied, he drew out his sword.

Bhagirath standing at the other end of the line screamed out. ‘No, My Lord! We need him alive!’

But Shiva was frenzied, screaming, racing quickly towards Parshuram, his sword high, ready to behead the bandit.

Parshuram continued to stare blankly, not a hint of fear on his face. And then he shut his eyes and shouted the words he wanted to die with. ‘Jai Guru Vishwamitra! Jai Guru Vashisht!’

A stunned Shiva stopped in his tracks. Paralysed.

Not feeling the sword strike on his neck, Parshuram opened his eyes and stared at Shiva, confused.

The sword slipped from Shiva’s hands. ‘Vasudev?’

Parshuram looked as shocked as Shiva. He finally got a good look at Shiva’s throat, deliberately covered by a cravat. Realisation dawned. ‘Oh Lord! What have I done? Neelkanth! Lord Neelkanth!’

Parshuram brought his head down towards Shiva’s feet, tears flooding his eyes. ‘Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me. I didn’t know it was you.’

Shiva just stood there. Paralysed.

A half-asleep Sati heard the throaty roars. She immediately became alert.

They’re here.

She turned towards the doorway. The fire was burning strong. Two soldiers were sitting guard.

‘Kaavas, they’re here. Wake everyone up.’

Sati crept up to the terrace railing. She couldn’t see any lion as yet. The moon had a bit of strength tonight. She wasn’t dependant only on the fire.

Then she saw the liger emerge from the tree line. The arrow Sati had shot was still buried in his shoulder, its shaft broken. It made him drag his front foot marginally.

‘There’s another male lion,’ whispered Kaavas, pointing.

Sati nodded. She drew her bow forward. But before she could shoot, the sight in front of her stunned her.

Numerous lionesses were pouring out from behind the liger. The pride was far larger than the seven animals she had assumed there would be. She continued to watch in horror as more and more animals emerged. One lioness after another, till there were nearly thirty of them on display.

Lord Ram be merciful!

After the attack the previous night, the liger had brought his whole army to combat the threat. And it was a massive pride.

This explains the three male lions. The liger has actually taken over and merged three prides into one.

Sati slunk back and turned around. She couldn’t shoot so many lionesses. She looked around her. There was pure terror in the eyes of the Kashi soldiers.

She pointed to the doorway. ‘Two more men there. And more wood into the fire.’

The Kashi soldiers rushed to obey. Sati’s brain was whirring, but no idea struck her. That’s when she heard it.

She immediately turned around and crept to the railing, hearing the sound clearer. Two children were crying. Howling desperately for their lives.

Sati opened her eyes wide in panic.

Please... No...

The village cleaner and his wife were walking determinedly towards the lions. They wore saffron, to signify their sacrifice, their final journey. The children, naked to the elements, were held one each by their parents. They were bawling frantically.

The liger turned towards the couple and growled.

Sati drew her sword. ‘Noooo!’

‘No, My lady!’ screamed Kaavas.

But Sati had already jumped over onto the ground. She charged towards the lions, sword held high.