Having gone without sleep for so long, his friends were feeling weary. Only the eyes of Rudradhir and Vasudhir remained alert and thoughtful. Putting his hand to his mouth to mask a yawn, Sakrid said to Vasudhir, ‘Have all the preparations been made for the Arya’s departure?’

‘Yes, Arya,’ replied Vasudhir. ‘He is thinking of going on horseback instead of in a chariot. Only Mathura, his trusted attendant, will go with him.’

At a sign from Indradeep, Vasudhir asked the attendant to bring the wine tray again. Indradeep filled a bowl with his own hand and put it to Rudradhir’s lips, saying, ‘Friend, we are parting today with the pledge that we shall fight unto death for the protection of our blood and race and our sacred rights. The day of reunion will come soon.’ All the friends drank again after Rudradhir had emptied his bowl.

‘We shall all accompany Rudradhir to a distance of one yojan¹ beyond the city gate,’ proposed Vinay Sharma. In support of this proposal, they drank again. With drink, Rudradhir’s voice, which had been restrained, became normal, and then hardened somewhat. Holding Vinay Sharma by the arm, he took him to one side and said, ‘What do you think is going to happen to Divya?’

Blinking his drink-heavy eyes, Vinay Sharma replied, ‘There is no check on her movements, since our grandfather is extremely fond of her. My elder, Prabuddha Sharma, encourages Divya in her self-willed way of life, firstly because of grandfather’s indulgent attitude, and secondly because he himself is inclined towards the faith of the tonsured ones. The period of two thousand days is surely very long. To make the girl wait for so long … The family will doubtless be distressed on account of this.’

‘What about the groom’s son, Prithusen?’ asked Rudradhir, looking into Vinay Sharma’s eyes.

‘There is some slanderous gossip rife about the two of them,’ replied Vinay Sharma vaguely, dropping his gaze.

Yawning, Balajit called to Rudradhir, ‘It won’t be long before the sun rises. You will need time to bid farewell to your father and mother, and to the rest of the family.’

Self-surrender

MITHRODUS, THE AGED PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, realizing the magnitude of the problem, resolved to mount a determined resistance to Kendras. He entrusted the treasury and the department of war supplies to Prestha, the magnate, and the department of war strategy to Okris, the Greek noble. The task of fighting off the enemy in the impregnable mountain passes by the Tavisha river was entrusted to Prithusen with his army of freshly trained soldiers. The President took upon himself the work of general coordination and supervision. The internal administration of the city and of the state was left to the Chief Justice.

This new arrangement soon dispelled much of the fear and panic that had prevailed among the populace, and aroused a new enthusiasm for the war effort. Inspired by the thought of defending their country, groups of citizens began to offer their services voluntarily. Production of the weapons of war increased fourfold.