part0028

The gates of Avanti opened and welcomed the victorious warriors. A small crowd awaited the return of their loved ones. Ashwatthama observed all the faces closely — mothers searching for their sons, wives looking for their husbands, and children trying to spot their fathers — all of them anxious. Those who found their loved ones rejoiced and thanked the gods. Others kept searching. Their loved ones were gone but hope was alive.

As the bodies of the martyrs were brought inside the gates, the sound of cries, howls and screams filled the air. All this was familiar to Ashwatthama.

Soon, they reached the main palace, and the soldiers dispersed to the armoury. Ashwatthama, Vikram and Rana dismounted, and went inside.

Rana asked a courtier to call for Guru Apasmitra, as well as inform his father of their arrival.

All of them went to the king’s chamber. The courtier came and informed Rana that both Guru Apasmitra and King Janak Pratap Singh would be joining them, shortly.

The housekeepers brought warm water in large copper bowls and arranged fresh towels for the warriors. Rana went inside and sat down. Vikram and Ashwatthama decided to give their friend some time to reconcile with Valari’s death, and they walked to the other side of the chamber.

In a few moments, Guru Apasmitra arrived. He acknowledged Vikram and Rana, who bowed to him, and gave a courteous nod to Ashwatthama. Ashwatthama returned the gesture.

A completely crestfallen Rana spoke.

‘Guruji, this is my friend Ashwatthama, son of Dronacharya. He is the one who can wield the bow of Lord Rama. We have brought the bow from the Himavant, and Ashwatthama used it skilfully to kill Raktavija. Now, we must keep it someplace safe. Unfortunately, we...we lost Valari.’

Rana recounted the events from their perilous journey, leading up to Valari’s death and the killing of Raktavija. Guru Apasmitra listened silently.

After Rana had finished, Guru Apasmitra turned, and walked across the room, as if trying to make sense of all that had happened. He had his back towards the warriors. Without turning, Guru Apasmitra spoke.

‘Rana, you have been gone for more than two months. Do you even know what has transpired in your absence?’

Rana was bewildered. He feared some bad news about his father or sister. His eyes urged Guru Apasmitra to spill the beans. Guru Apasmitra turned to face them, and Rana looked at Vikram, who shrugged his shoulders.

Guru Apasmitra walked, slowly, towards Ashwatthama. Vikram and Rana were unable to understand the Guru’s motive.

Guru Apasmitra kept walking and stopped in front of Ashwatthama. Just then, the door opened, and another person entered the chamber. Ashwatthama turned to see who it was.

A shocked Ashwatthama felt a searing pain in his abdomen. His grip on the bow loosened. He looked down, and saw a large silver dagger plunged into his abdomen. In a moment, Vikram and Rana pounced on the intruder, who did not look like Guru Apasmitra anymore. He was pale green in colour, and was dressed in black robes. Flaunting a devilish grin, he immediately hurled two knives at Vikram and Rana. Both dived, but the knives followed them and pierced their shoulders, pinning them to the ground. The intruder threw a glance at a stunned Guru Apasmitra, grabbed the Kodanda and sprinted, kicking Ashwatthama as he exited.

Guru Apasmitra reacted, throwing a hex on the intruder, but unfortunately, the clever thief had already leapt out of the window.