Shiva smiled. The answer was obvious. Thank you, Panditji. I think we’ve spoken enough for today.

May I offer my opinion on your first question?

Shiva was surprised. About the Nagas?

Yes.

Of course! Please.

It is obvious that you feel drawn to the Nagas. That you feel that your path to Evil lies through them.

Yes.

That can be due to two reasons. Either Evil exists at the end of that path.

Or?

Or Evil has caused its greatest destruction on that path.

Shiva took a deep breath. You mean the Nagas may be the ones who suffered the most at the hands of Evil?

Maybe.

Shiva leaned back against the pillar. He closed his eyes. Maybe the Nagas deserve a hearing. Maybe everyone else has been unfair to them. Maybe they deserve the benefit of the doubt. But one of them has to answer to me. One of them awaits justice for Brahaspati’s assassination.

Gopal knew who Shiva was thinking about. He kept quiet.

Sati stood in front of Athithigva in his private chambers. Standing next to her were Kali and Ganesh. The stunned King of Kashi did not know how to react.

Sati had returned from Icchawar that morning with twenty-seven lion skins, proof of the destruction of the man-eating pride. Special prayers had been intoned at the Vishwanath temple for the brave Kashi soldiers who had died there. Kaavas had been promoted to the rank of Major. The courage of the Branga platoon had also been acknowledged. The Brangas of Kashi would be exempt from taxes for the next three months. But this specific problem was particularly knotty for Athithigva. He did not know how to react to the presence of the two Nagas beside Sati. He dare not expel the relatives of the wife of the Neelkanth from his city. At the same time, he couldn’t allow them to live openly in Kashi. His people would consider it a crime against the laws of Karma. Superstitions about the Nagas ran deep.

‘My Lady,’ said Athithigva carefully. ‘How can we allow this?’

Kali was staring at Athithigva, livid at the humiliation being meted out to her, a Queen in her own right. She touched Sati’s arm. ‘Didi, forget this...’

Sati just shook her head. ‘Lord Athithigva, Kashi is a shining light of tolerance within India. It accepts all Indians, no matter what their faith or way of life. Isn’t rejecting some noble and valiant people, just because they are Nagas, going against the very reasons that make your city a beacon for the downtrodden and marginalised?’

Athithigva looked down. ‘But, My Lady, my people...’

‘Your Highness, should you give in to your people’s biases? Or instead, lead them onto a better path?’

The Kashi king remained silent, wavering.

‘Please do not forget, Your Highness, that if the Kashi platoon has returned and the villagers of Icchawar are alive today, it is due to the bravery of Kali, Ganesh and their men. We would all have been killed by the lions. They have saved us. Do they not deserve honour in return?’

Athithigva nodded hesitantly. He looked out of the window of his private chambers. The Ganga flowed languidly, cradling the reflection of the Eastern palace on the far bank. Where his beloved sisters Maya led a miserable life, practically imprisoned. He would have loved to challenge the fear of the Nagas in his people. But had always lacked the courage. The fact that the Neelkanth’s wife stood by her family, gave him hope. For who would dare to challenge the Neelkanth? Everyone knew how Shiva had abolished one set of unjust laws. So why not the same for the Nagas too?

The King turned back towards Sati. ‘Your family can stay, My Lady. I’m sure they will be comfortable in the wing of the Kashi palace allocated to the Lord Neelkanth.’

‘I’m sure they will,’ replied a smiling Sati. ‘Thank you so much, Your Highness.’

Shiva was standing at the head of the ship, Parvateshwar next to him.

‘I’ve doubled the speed of the lead ship, My Lord,’ said Parvateshwar.

Shiva had asked Parvateshwar to ensure a quick arrival of their fleet to Kashi. He had been away from his family for more than two years. It was too long a time and he missed them dearly.

‘Thank you, General,’ smiled Shiva.

Parvateshwar bowed and turned to look at the Ganga again.

Shiva spoke with a hint of a smile on his face. ‘So how is married life, General?’

Parvateshwar looked at Shiva with a broad smile. ‘Heaven, My Lord. Absolute heaven. A very intense heaven though.’

Shiva smiled. ‘Normal rules don’t seem to apply, do they?’

Parvateshwar laughed out loud. ‘Well, Anandmayi continues to update the rules as each day comes along and I just follow them!’

Shiva laughed loudly as well and patted his friend. ‘Follow those rules, my friend, follow those rules. She loves you. You will be happy with her.’

Parvateshwar nodded heartily.

‘Anandmayi told me that she has sent a cutter to Ayodhya to inform Emperor Dilipa of your nuptials,’ said Shiva.

‘Yes, she has,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘His Highness will be coming to Kashi to receive us. He has promised to hold another, completely extravagant celebration for us in Kashi within ten days of our arrival.’

‘That should be fun!’

‘Yes, My Lord?’ asked Nandi.

Nandi and Bhagirath were with Shiva in his cabin.

‘When we reach Kashi, stay close to Prince Bhagirath.’

‘Why, My Lord?’ asked Bhagirath.

Shiva raised his hand. ‘Just trust me.’

Bhagirath narrowed his eyes. ‘My father’s coming to Kashi?’

Shiva nodded.

‘I will be the Prince’s shadow, My Lord,’ said Nandi. ‘Nothing will happen to him as long as I am alive.’

Shiva looked up. ‘I don’t want anything happening to you either, Nandi. Both of you keep your eyes open and remain careful.’

‘My son!’ cried Sati as Kartik ran into her arms.

Kartik was only three, but, due to the Somras, he looked like a six–year–old. He screamed, ‘Maa!’

Sati twirled her son around happily. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’

‘I missed you too,’ said Kartik softly, still unhappy about his mother leaving him behind.

‘I’m sorry I had to go away, my child. But I had very important work to do.’

‘Next time, take me with you.’

‘I will try.’

Kartik smiled, seemingly mollified. He then pulled his wooden sword out of the scabbard. ‘Look at this, Maa.’

Sati frowned. ‘What’s this?’

‘I started learning how to fight the day you left. If I was a good soldier, you would have taken me with you, no?’

Sati smiled broadly and plonked Kartik on her lap. ‘You are a born soldier, my son.’

Kartik smiled and hugged his mother.

‘You know how you always ask me for a brother, Kartik?’

Kartik nodded vigorously. ‘Yes! Yes!’

‘Well, I’ve found a wonderful brother for you. An elder brother who will always take care of you.’

Kartik frowned and looked towards the door. He saw a giant of a man enter the chambers. He was wearing a simple white dhoti and an angvastram was draped loosely across his right shoulder, his immense stomach jiggling with every breath. But it was the face that startled Kartik. The head of an elephant on top of a human body.