‘What’s the time, girl?’

‘Past first quarter of the day, Arya.’

Prithusen washed his face and rinsed his mouth. The slave girl handed the towel to him and said, ‘The master has asked twice about Your Honour, since morning. When he learnt that Your Honour had gone to bed rather late, he decided to wait for you in his own room.’

Prithusen got up, changed his clothes, and went to meet his father. Prestha, the magnate, looked solemn, but acknowledged the greetings of his son with a smile and a blessing. Putting his hand on his son’s shoulder, he spoke in a low, confidential tone, ‘Perhaps you know about the army and the situation in Sagal? News came last night that the army of Madra has been routed a second time by the forces of Kendras. This news is being kept secret from the President of the Republic. Secret treaties exist between Acharya Pravardhan and the rulers of Shursen and Magadh. I have obtained positive proof of this by spending a great deal of money. Son, take this· information, together with the documentary proofs I have, to the President. On the strength of these you will be able to win his confidence and respect. A golden opportunity has come your way. It’s also your duty to defend the state.’

For a few seconds Prithusen was lost in thought. Then he said in a voice equally secretive, but despondent, ‘You’re right, Father. But the time for defence is almost gone. What can the two or three hundred families of the nobility do, ensconced in their palaces? And they don’t agree among themselves on anything either. The vast population of Madra is terribly disheartened and dissatisfied. It’s only waiting for Kendras to march in. Last night, I heard with my own ears the views of the poor and the low-caste people. They are disturbed, frightened, disappointed and terribly dissatisfied. Father, the orders of commanders have their importance, no doubt, but it’s the ordinary people who do the fighting. They’re waiting to welcome Kendras. There’s no way left to us except either to leave Sagal and seek shelter elsewhere while there is still time, or die fighting and save ourselves from disgrace.’

The magnate was pleased ·to find that Prithusen was not as indifferent to the situation as he had been earlier. He made his son sit next to him and said, ‘If the people are dissatisfied they can be satisfied too. It is important that people should be contented, that they should cooperate, but their satisfaction and cooperation should be drawn not towards the feudatory chief Sarvarth or Acharya Pravardhan, but towards the President, towards Prestha, towards Commander Prithusen. Do you follow me, my son?’

And for a long time, the magnate went on explaining to his son the fine art of diplomacy.

The army of Kendras reached the bank of the Tavisha river after defeating the forces of Madra. The terrible news coming from the frontier frightened and discouraged the inhabitants of Sagal greatly. Before they could overcome their earlier fears and regain composure, more terrifying news would come to increase their panic. In such circumstances another unexpected incident occurred which bewildered them all the more. Stunned, they began to conjecture about its causes and possible consequences.