With her face dug into her knees, Idhika sobbed and repeatedly murmured, ‘I found it . . . I found it. No Mahayatra . . . none of it!’ Ujal gave her a massive hug. When she could finally speak, Idhika revealed to them all that she had seen. Prithvi, Aman, Ujal and Fayza seemed to find themselves frozen, only their eyes moving to search for assurance in one another.

Then their bodies slumped. Ujal broke into a burst of shaky laughter. ‘This was the request I’d made to Lord Indra at the temple today, and he heard my pleas.’ He was filled with the pleasing thought that he would be joining the ranks of immortals in Vanyasa without going through the final test. Mother and Father can be with us now, as part of Vanyasa, he thought.

But unknown to him, a slow smile spread across his sister’s face as she mentally charted a rough plan to find Bhavesh instead.

‘Say that again, Idhika,’ Fayza demanded. ‘Are they really going to cancel it?’ She remembered how distraught she was at being separated from her family and was glad that no new Souls of Samsara in the upcoming decades would have to go through the same pain. Her hands fell into Aman’s.

Aman, eyes closed, let out a deep breath and nodded. ‘If Sanaka has been helping the Preservers and he is capable of what you’ve just said, Idhika, I’m sure he had something to do with my father’s death—or at least he knows more about it.’ He urged Idhika to instantly go to Aranyani so that she could talk to the Sabha and Samiti.

But the longer they discussed it, the more they questioned the wisdom of immediately revealing what they knew. ‘No!’ Idhika decided eventually. ‘If Sanaka finds out, he may move the Madhu and even relocate the Preservers before tomorrow’s meeting of the Sabha and Samiti. We’ve come so far, and now we must be patient. It is in front of all the villagers that we will take him down! That way, he and all those aiding him will have nowhere to run. Once it is over, the journey north will be cancelled, and Father can return to the valley, allowing the real sinner of Madhu to get what he deserves.’

They talked about how Idhika would waylay the ceremony the next day and worked on perfecting the speech for the councils to hear. Idhika warned, ‘Do not apprise any of the other Souls, no matter how scared they may be right now. It’s too risky. Make sure you are not smiling when we go for the final meal of the day. And Aman, roll up your belongings for the journey, as you would, before you sleep. We don’t want anyone to learn of the plan prematurely.’

All was done as the Eka had asked. After dinner, without any more discussions, the five of them retired content to their respective huts. They all slept, nervously tossing and turning, as expected of the Souls that night. Aman couldn’t wait to demand answers from Sanaka about his father. He wanted nothing more.