‘That l...’ Shishupal fumed but restrained himself before strangers. Turning to Eklavvya with a grunt of frustration, he said, ‘Duty calls, Eklavvya. It was an honour to make your acquaintance. Will you join me for supper on the morrow?’

‘By the time this woman is done with Eklavvya, he will not have enough strength in his legs to trot anywhere.’ Before Eklavvya could complain further, he was dragged away by the Nora woman.

III

As Shishupal was taken back to the carriage upon Mayasur’s mule, he became aware that Lady Rasha was striding towards him, chin stuck out like an anvil.

‘What were you doing with that Valka?’ she demanded in what she erroneously surmised to be a whisper. ‘Have you lost your wits, Commander?’

‘Oh, Lady Rasha, nothing like that. That was Eklavvya, the Contest winner. A Chief, in fact. A noble soul…a kind youth. Speaks funny, though. He is just…’

‘Oh stop, you fool!’ Lady Rasha commanded. Her stern injunction rang out in the silence of the Weeds as her bosom fell and rose like an empire. Those in earshot turned, amused to see a woman scolding a man. ‘I thought you went to attack him!’

‘Attack? That poor boy? No, no, I went to inquire about my brother.’ Shishupal turned a quizzical look on her. ‘But…I did not expect you to disturb yourself over him. Most city folk are not much concerned about forestfolk. You are most…’ Shishupal hunted for a word, for he could not imagine associating ‘kind’ with Lady Rasha. ‘…considerate,’ he finally managed.

‘I was concerned for you, idiot! Can’t have you killed just when Jarasandh is about to set off for Panchal. He’ll take it as another of his freaking omens and my plans will be ruined.’

‘Killed?’ Shishupal laughed. ‘Oh really, Lady Rasha, do not look at me so. You have nothing to worry about. Yes, the Valkas may be savage in their customs, but they’re soft at heart, really. And that boy…’

Lady Rasha raised her hand to silence him. That hand would have silenced thunder. ‘That boy, you ignorant man, is the Yaksha of Goverdhun!’

I

From a distance, the Three Sisters shimmered white behind a veil of heat like a mirage. But as he came closer, the Third Sister rose, sudden and sheer as a mountain cliff. I am going to miss Mathura when I leave. Mathura really worked, partly because no faction was ever powerful enough to topple it. Namin priests, Drachma counters, Ksharjan Lords, Resht unions, all competed enthusiastically in a race for the top, without realizing there was no top. They were all running in a circle like pigs, all the while pulling the others behind in an endless loop.